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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 1574 Views
Nabokov's The Original of Laura - 08/10/2009 08:19:01 PM 1092 Views
I'd love that. - 08/10/2009 08:25:39 PM 1111 Views
The real problem... - 08/10/2009 08:40:50 PM 1003 Views
That's a good point too. - 08/10/2009 08:45:30 PM 949 Views
Well, we could always discuss Nabokov in December. - 08/10/2009 11:18:57 PM 915 Views
Done! - 09/10/2009 03:00:30 PM 927 Views
Hmm...I'm still thinking about the name - 09/10/2009 03:57:48 PM 1042 Views
I'd be up for reading Doctor Zhivago. - 08/10/2009 10:08:09 PM 940 Views
yeah, me too. only need to find it in a library near me. *NM* - 08/10/2009 10:09:32 PM 390 Views
Don't be cheap. Buy it. - 08/10/2009 11:16:18 PM 949 Views
Well, I would, but I don't like online bookstores. - 09/10/2009 01:19:19 AM 990 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 948 Views
Oh, but... - 09/10/2009 11:01:01 AM 907 Views
Also: I did not say any such thing. *NM* - 10/10/2009 12:49:06 PM 393 Views
The Gone-Away World, obviously - 08/10/2009 09:23:12 PM 886 Views
Obviously. - 09/10/2009 03:00:47 PM 908 Views
I second these statements *NM* - 13/10/2009 09:37:28 PM 417 Views
This one *NM* - 19/10/2009 10:44:37 PM 398 Views
AS Byatt - Possession. - 08/10/2009 10:21:39 PM 945 Views
It is a book of wonder. Possibly not good for the masses. *NM* - 09/10/2009 03:01:13 PM 494 Views
Perfect timing! Or, perhaps in December. - 09/10/2009 09:35:00 PM 1074 Views
i loved that book!!! she is amazing. just wonderful writing... *NM* - 13/10/2009 08:44:59 PM 375 Views
How about a classic novel? - 08/10/2009 11:30:31 PM 1159 Views
You have a very strange definition of classics... *NM* - 09/10/2009 01:20:37 AM 416 Views
Replace "strange" with "erroneous" and I'll agree with you. - 09/10/2009 02:09:27 AM 918 Views
Really? - 09/10/2009 03:08:53 AM 1392 Views
for classic science fiction, your list contained one I could support... - 09/10/2009 11:06:34 AM 944 Views
I'd be up for those. *NM* - 09/10/2009 05:34:19 PM 583 Views
You said "classic novel". Science fiction doesn't generally meet that standard. - 09/10/2009 02:52:01 PM 1003 Views
I understand your point. However... - 09/10/2009 05:47:54 PM 1360 Views
This isn't really a SF/F Board - 09/10/2009 09:35:06 PM 927 Views
I like your list. - 09/10/2009 03:02:09 PM 906 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 401 Views
Why? - 09/10/2009 03:32:05 PM 864 Views
And what book would that be??? - 09/10/2009 03:47:49 PM 946 Views
Foucault's Pendulum seems like the obvious one. - 09/10/2009 03:58:37 PM 1004 Views
Having both FP and NotR recently... - 09/10/2009 04:31:00 PM 860 Views
No way. - 09/10/2009 04:56:39 PM 1057 Views
Oh well. I'll have to blame my faulty memory then. - 09/10/2009 10:11:55 PM 839 Views
Based on past experiences here and elsewhere, it'll be hard to choose the "right" book - 09/10/2009 02:46:22 AM 1225 Views
That Hitchhiker book is as genuine as the "new" Winnie-the-Pooh book - 09/10/2009 02:54:23 PM 969 Views
Perhaps, but it's worth remembering that... - 09/10/2009 03:45:53 PM 873 Views
Adams killed Arthur Dent for a reason - 09/10/2009 05:02:23 PM 987 Views
The movie was not faithful to the books in any meaningful way. *NM* - 09/10/2009 08:58:01 PM 385 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 397 Views
Right. - 10/10/2009 02:37:08 AM 891 Views
One little thing - 10/10/2009 02:39:01 AM 971 Views
Are you sure? - 10/10/2009 02:43:01 AM 920 Views
Yes - 10/10/2009 04:02:40 AM 1149 Views
I stand corrected. Looking forward to your review! - 10/10/2009 01:00:38 PM 849 Views
Perhaps - 09/10/2009 06:08:17 PM 997 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 884 Views
Pretty much (plus I have to finish reading the second half) - 10/10/2009 05:34:38 AM 885 Views
A contrasting take on the first half of the book - 10/10/2009 04:10:18 PM 845 Views
Pretty sure Eugammon beat you to that sequel. - 19/10/2009 09:31:05 PM 1079 Views
Yes! - 19/10/2009 09:20:09 AM 777 Views
Rothfuss is a good idea, actually. - 09/10/2009 02:59:53 PM 853 Views
There are a few, if I recall - 09/10/2009 06:09:54 PM 837 Views
A question for you all. - 09/10/2009 03:04:17 PM 912 Views
Sounds good to me. *NM* - 09/10/2009 03:29:54 PM 356 Views
I agree , or ... - 09/10/2009 04:36:03 PM 877 Views
That could work if people were interested enough. - 11/10/2009 12:40:16 PM 881 Views
That would be cool with me. *NM* - 10/10/2009 10:32:15 AM 378 Views
Sounds interesting. *NM* - 13/10/2009 08:51:31 PM 342 Views
I suggest - 09/10/2009 04:58:27 PM 884 Views
Acacia: The War with the Mein by David Anthony Durham - 10/10/2009 02:32:59 PM 856 Views
You didn't mention the rapture! If that happens, will the club still be on? *NM* - 11/10/2009 07:51:59 AM 557 Views
I'd say yes. Pretty sure the people here will be Left Behind. *NM* - 11/10/2009 12:39:05 PM 481 Views
Some will probably even be actively serving the Antichrist. - 11/10/2009 04:16:45 PM 1085 Views
Prefer not to. - 12/10/2009 03:14:30 AM 746 Views
Diary of a Drug Fiend was rather good. *NM* - 12/10/2009 03:57:42 PM 380 Views
A compromise candidate - 14/10/2009 06:40:56 PM 756 Views
Is it bad that I read this as 'submissives wanted' - 14/10/2009 08:04:31 PM 1051 Views
Hyperion *NM* - 15/10/2009 01:56:31 AM 340 Views

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