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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 1475 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1058 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 995 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 994 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 949 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1087 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1107 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1339 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1030 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1204 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1049 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 1037 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 945 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1021 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1057 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1103 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1316 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1109 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1160 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1032 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1055 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1016 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 879 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 951 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 935 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1113 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 568 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 877 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 957 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 429 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 571 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 609 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1074 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 967 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1129 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1036 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 904 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1076 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1087 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 1106 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1103 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1063 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 999 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1024 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1038 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 920 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1041 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1027 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1204 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1035 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1006 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1087 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 926 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1173 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 987 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1076 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1131 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 990 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1067 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1012 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1037 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 962 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1128 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 827 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 920 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 936 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1019 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1072 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1037 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1082 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 869 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1040 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1162 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1085 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1036 Views
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