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I understand your point. However... Haggard Send a noteboard - 09/10/2009 05:47:54 PM
Classic novels are books like A Tale of Two Cities, Don Quixote, The Brothers Karamazov or Les Miserables.

Most people wouldn't include science fiction as a category that generates "classic novels" (with some notable exceptions). The reason is that there is no "recognized value" (using your definition) to stories that are primarily entertainment but have little deeper meaning. Additionally, for those that do have deeper meaning (Lem, for example), frequently they are too recent to have established a consensus on "value" - part of what makes a book a classic is that it stands the test of time and retains value several generations after it is written.



I agree. I don't think the books I listed necessarily reach the level of "classics" as you describe. However, since this is a SF/F message board, I assumed folks would realize I meant classic SF/F.

If I was posting to a board devoted to rock music and I said I wanted to listen to some classics, people wouldn't assume I meant Beethoven or Mozart. I need to be more clear in the future. Lesson learned.

But, hey, if Obama can win the Nobel Peace Prize, Hyperion can be a classic. ;)
*MySmiley*
I'm drinkin' some George Jones,
and a little bit of Coe
Haggard's easin' my misery
and Waylon's keepin' me from home
Hank's givin' me those high times-
Cash is gonna sing it low
I'm here gettin' wasted-
just like my country heroes
-Hank III
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November Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club: submissions ended! ... New new edit on 18/10/2009 - 08/10/2009 06:56:01 PM 1590 Views
Nabokov's The Original of Laura - 08/10/2009 08:19:01 PM 1106 Views
I'd love that. - 08/10/2009 08:25:39 PM 1123 Views
The real problem... - 08/10/2009 08:40:50 PM 1017 Views
That's a good point too. - 08/10/2009 08:45:30 PM 962 Views
Well, we could always discuss Nabokov in December. - 08/10/2009 11:18:57 PM 929 Views
Done! - 09/10/2009 03:00:30 PM 945 Views
Hmm...I'm still thinking about the name - 09/10/2009 03:57:48 PM 1059 Views
I'd be up for reading Doctor Zhivago. - 08/10/2009 10:08:09 PM 952 Views
yeah, me too. only need to find it in a library near me. *NM* - 08/10/2009 10:09:32 PM 396 Views
Don't be cheap. Buy it. - 08/10/2009 11:16:18 PM 962 Views
Well, I would, but I don't like online bookstores. - 09/10/2009 01:19:19 AM 1007 Views
Well, but you just said you didn't know if you could find it in the library. - 09/10/2009 02:07:54 AM 962 Views
Oh, but... - 09/10/2009 11:01:01 AM 926 Views
Also: I did not say any such thing. *NM* - 10/10/2009 12:49:06 PM 398 Views
The Gone-Away World, obviously - 08/10/2009 09:23:12 PM 900 Views
Obviously. - 09/10/2009 03:00:47 PM 925 Views
I second these statements *NM* - 13/10/2009 09:37:28 PM 422 Views
This one *NM* - 19/10/2009 10:44:37 PM 404 Views
AS Byatt - Possession. - 08/10/2009 10:21:39 PM 960 Views
It is a book of wonder. Possibly not good for the masses. *NM* - 09/10/2009 03:01:13 PM 500 Views
Perfect timing! Or, perhaps in December. - 09/10/2009 09:35:00 PM 1088 Views
i loved that book!!! she is amazing. just wonderful writing... *NM* - 13/10/2009 08:44:59 PM 380 Views
How about a classic novel? - 08/10/2009 11:30:31 PM 1177 Views
You have a very strange definition of classics... *NM* - 09/10/2009 01:20:37 AM 423 Views
Replace "strange" with "erroneous" and I'll agree with you. - 09/10/2009 02:09:27 AM 932 Views
Really? - 09/10/2009 03:08:53 AM 1406 Views
for classic science fiction, your list contained one I could support... - 09/10/2009 11:06:34 AM 958 Views
I'd be up for those. *NM* - 09/10/2009 05:34:19 PM 586 Views
You said "classic novel". Science fiction doesn't generally meet that standard. - 09/10/2009 02:52:01 PM 1018 Views
I understand your point. However... - 09/10/2009 05:47:54 PM 1374 Views
This isn't really a SF/F Board - 09/10/2009 09:35:06 PM 936 Views
I like your list. - 09/10/2009 03:02:09 PM 920 Views
I think if you're gonna do Eco, picking another book to start with would be wiser... *NM* - 09/10/2009 03:28:50 PM 406 Views
Why? - 09/10/2009 03:32:05 PM 877 Views
And what book would that be??? - 09/10/2009 03:47:49 PM 960 Views
Foucault's Pendulum seems like the obvious one. - 09/10/2009 03:58:37 PM 1022 Views
Having both FP and NotR recently... - 09/10/2009 04:31:00 PM 876 Views
No way. - 09/10/2009 04:56:39 PM 1073 Views
Oh well. I'll have to blame my faulty memory then. - 09/10/2009 10:11:55 PM 849 Views
Based on past experiences here and elsewhere, it'll be hard to choose the "right" book - 09/10/2009 02:46:22 AM 1241 Views
That Hitchhiker book is as genuine as the "new" Winnie-the-Pooh book - 09/10/2009 02:54:23 PM 985 Views
Perhaps, but it's worth remembering that... - 09/10/2009 03:45:53 PM 889 Views
Adams killed Arthur Dent for a reason - 09/10/2009 05:02:23 PM 1001 Views
The movie was not faithful to the books in any meaningful way. *NM* - 09/10/2009 08:58:01 PM 391 Views
The movie sucked, yes. Adams had also been dead for four years when it came out. *NM* - 10/10/2009 02:19:38 AM 402 Views
Right. - 10/10/2009 02:37:08 AM 906 Views
One little thing - 10/10/2009 02:39:01 AM 983 Views
Are you sure? - 10/10/2009 02:43:01 AM 935 Views
Yes - 10/10/2009 04:02:40 AM 1160 Views
I stand corrected. Looking forward to your review! - 10/10/2009 01:00:38 PM 862 Views
Perhaps - 09/10/2009 06:08:17 PM 1012 Views
So on Monday we'll find out if the widow's cash need resulted in a good book. - 10/10/2009 04:21:22 AM 896 Views
Pretty much (plus I have to finish reading the second half) - 10/10/2009 05:34:38 AM 897 Views
A contrasting take on the first half of the book - 10/10/2009 04:10:18 PM 855 Views
Pretty sure Eugammon beat you to that sequel. - 19/10/2009 09:31:05 PM 1096 Views
Yes! - 19/10/2009 09:20:09 AM 796 Views
Rothfuss is a good idea, actually. - 09/10/2009 02:59:53 PM 864 Views
There are a few, if I recall - 09/10/2009 06:09:54 PM 852 Views
A question for you all. - 09/10/2009 03:04:17 PM 928 Views
Sounds good to me. *NM* - 09/10/2009 03:29:54 PM 363 Views
I agree , or ... - 09/10/2009 04:36:03 PM 887 Views
That could work if people were interested enough. - 11/10/2009 12:40:16 PM 896 Views
That would be cool with me. *NM* - 10/10/2009 10:32:15 AM 382 Views
Sounds interesting. *NM* - 13/10/2009 08:51:31 PM 347 Views
I suggest - 09/10/2009 04:58:27 PM 899 Views
Acacia: The War with the Mein by David Anthony Durham - 10/10/2009 02:32:59 PM 870 Views
You didn't mention the rapture! If that happens, will the club still be on? *NM* - 11/10/2009 07:51:59 AM 563 Views
I'd say yes. Pretty sure the people here will be Left Behind. *NM* - 11/10/2009 12:39:05 PM 486 Views
Some will probably even be actively serving the Antichrist. - 11/10/2009 04:16:45 PM 1100 Views
Prefer not to. - 12/10/2009 03:14:30 AM 762 Views
Diary of a Drug Fiend was rather good. *NM* - 12/10/2009 03:57:42 PM 386 Views
A compromise candidate - 14/10/2009 06:40:56 PM 774 Views
Is it bad that I read this as 'submissives wanted' - 14/10/2009 08:04:31 PM 1066 Views
Hyperion *NM* - 15/10/2009 01:56:31 AM 345 Views

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