Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey - Edit 1
Before modification by Camilla at 30/09/2010 09:30:50 PM
Legolas' post about Emma and Rebekah's challenge got me thinking that there are a lot of "classics" floating around out there that certain people (myself included) may never have given a chance. This will be true, regardless of what you consider a "classic" to be. I leaned a little too heavily on a man named Cliff during school to avoid getting too far out of my comfort zone. Also, making something "required" reading usually took away some of it's appeal for me.
This may be more of a survey than a discussion, but I think it would be interesting none the less, especially with the amount of literature buffs around this board. Anyway, here we go...
How do you define a classic work or author?
It depends. One definition sticks to a certain period of Greek literature. And then there is the fudgy "canon". But I suppose the main test is whether something is still considered good after a hundred years or so. Though I think people are calling "classics" books from the 50s. It is very fuzzy.
What are your favorite classic works?
I love Aristophanes and Herodotos. And I really like Hamlet and Macbeth. And I'll read Austen any chance I get. Same with Woolf, really. Or Dumas. Or Wodehouse. I am writing my PhD on Dickens, so I suppose I'll have to mention him. And Thackeray and Stevenson. I quite like some of Zola. There is too much to mention. I real a lot of "canon" literature.
If you had to suggest just one, which would it be and why? (please not, "because it's good" )
Hmm. If you are not used to reading non-contemporary books, I think Dumas or Wodehouse, possibly Austen (but I think possibly that works better if you are a girl) is a good place to start, mainly because the difference will not be so great. Stevenson is always great. Or, you know, Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. Or Poe. Those are a good place to start because they are not terribly challenging.
The same goes for Tolstoy. I am always amused by how War and Peace is touted like this difficult, intellectual novel when it is really a soap opera. It is interesting, and it is fun to read (if you get through the periods of thoughts on history, but those are short).
What have you staunchly refused to read that might be considered a classic?
Nothing, really. I don't staunchly refuse to read anything that I think might be good. I am not a great fan of Milton. And I think Robinson Crusoe is one of the more boring books in the history of the canon, but I read them before I made up my mind.
Why don't you want to read it?
n/a
I considered myself relatively well read, until I started hanging out around here at least. 
I will answer the questions in the next post to get it started, despite what it might reveal about my literary experience (or lack thereof). Thanks!
I will answer the questions in the next post to get it started, despite what it might reveal about my literary experience (or lack thereof). Thanks!