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Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder Send a noteboard - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 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.

I totally didn't go to the same school you did (probably), but I know this Cliff fellow. He was quite the popular guy in school; not bad for a total bookworm.

How do you define a classic work or author?

Probably something that is widely appreciated and widely taught/held up as an example.

What are your favorite classic works?

I don't read much and I'm going to leave out quite a few, but my favorites:

Western: Candide, Notre Dame de Paris, Jungle Book, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Don Quixote, The Inferno, Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, Tale of Two Cities, The Periodic Table (to my shock, it wasn't about Chemistry), The Prince, Return of the Native, 1984, Animal Farm, Common Sense, Wealth of Nations, Democracy in America, Leviathan, Social Contract, Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn, works by Homer, Virgil, Poe, Verne, Moliere

Eastern (not as many favorites here): The Analects, Tale of Genji, Midnight's Children, Ramayana, Journey to the West, Camel Xiangzi, Muqaddimah (actually, this might technically be Western, but w/e)

If you had to suggest just one, which would it be and why? (please not, "because it's good" )

Hmm, I really like several of them, they're good in different ways. I will say though:

Western: Candide. I love the story-telling; it moves very rapidly and everything is done quite comically. And yet, there is a satire to it if you choose to read it on that level (it's not necessary though). Next in line would be Notre Dame de Paris, probably.

Eastern: Hmm, tough to choose. Midnight's Children is nice, but kind of topical. I'd probably go with Journey to the West or Camel Xiangzi since they deal with larger themes and give you a better idea of creative thinking in Eastern works. It's pretty different from Western ideas. Ramayana is pretty cool as well.

What have you staunchly refused to read that might be considered a classic?

Well, not refused, but I could never get through Hesse's Siddartha

Why don't you want to read it?

It was really boring for me. I could not get past the first few chapters. I don't really know.. it just wasn't for me.
This message last edited by BlackAdder on 30/09/2010 at 11:55:10 PM
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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1394 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 986 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 925 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 922 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 908 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1005 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1031 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1273 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 960 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1126 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 973 Views
Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM 963 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 879 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 947 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 981 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1030 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1252 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1040 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1088 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 961 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 985 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 920 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 808 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 873 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 856 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1038 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM* Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM 538 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 810 Views
That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM 894 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 404 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 539 Views
I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM* Tom - 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM 578 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1010 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 933 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1053 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 963 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 839 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1003 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1020 Views
I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM 1038 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1030 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 995 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 930 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 950 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 962 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 841 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 964 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 962 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1126 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 960 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 939 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1016 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 858 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1111 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 923 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1010 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1062 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 907 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1001 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 946 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 962 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 895 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1050 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 753 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 840 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 868 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 946 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1007 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 968 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1008 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 823 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 984 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1094 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1006 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 972 Views
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