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Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai Send a noteboard - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM
Are you missing something? Yes. What makes it literature. The reason why it is good. Cliff's Notes are like ... powder soup. It is not soup. It is just a powdery, boring extract of soup and it lacks the soupness of it.

I agree 100%

Let me state that I did not rely on Cliff for every single reading project. Just the few that I found unappealing. I'm a slacker, but I do like to read certain things! I meant more about missing something that might make Austen / Bronte more appealing to me.

Oh, sorry if I sounded judgmental. I just meant that Cliff's notes gives you the highlights and someone's interpretation of the meaning, but you don't see how it actually makes you feel. And I've not read Austen or Bronte, so I can't tell you specifically what you miss there.

For some inexplicable reason in my AP English class my teacher said we were going to study Paradise Lost by the Cliff's notes. It was supposed to prepare us for college, but from reading the notes you completely miss the beauty of the piece you are studying.

This is weird. That it was mandated by the teacher. My AP teacher knew I was doing it on a few (and definitely did not approve). I very much enjoyed Paradise Lost, sans Cliff's notes.

I thought it was weird too, but then again that teacher and I never really saw eye to eye on much.

Now, I appreciate the sidebars in works like Shakespeare that let you know how a word may be used differently in the play than it is now, but that's all the help I want with my literature.

This is a helpful aspect of Cliff on more difficult reading. I never used him in this capacity. Outside of avoiding certain assignments, I left Cliff on the shelf.

Edit: Apparently I'm not reading very carefully today, this response actually addresses what you said, not what I thought I read.
This message last edited by Seriana Sedai on 06/10/2010 at 02:16:51 AM
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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1474 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 993 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 992 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 947 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1086 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1106 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 1029 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1202 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1047 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 1036 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 944 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 1056 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1101 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1314 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1108 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1159 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 1054 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1013 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 949 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 933 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1111 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 567 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 877 Views
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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 1128 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1034 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 902 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 1086 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 998 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1024 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1037 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 1026 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 1033 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1006 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1085 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 986 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 1128 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 988 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 1035 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 961 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1127 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 826 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 918 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 935 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1017 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 1035 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 868 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1039 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 1084 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1036 Views
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