Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
StormCrow Send a noteboard - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
How do you define a classic work or author?
To expand on the subject line, a classic is a book which, stylistically and/or in terms of the ideas or emotions it conveys, consistently has literary value to readers generation after generation. Its value endures. By definition, I think that this requires the work in question to be novel in one way or another, so derivative fiction cannot by definition become "classic". I also believe that truly valuable ideas often (but not necessarily always) require that the book not be easily accessible to everyone, so the reader is forced to work a bit to appreciate the book.
Do you mean more that the ideas challenge the current prodomonent views or are just difficult to grasp? There are plenty of books out there that pushed the envelope to a degree for the thinking of the time, but might not have been difficult to read, and are considered classics by most. Just curious here.
However, I also believe that some more contemporary works can be considered "modern classics" because their ideas are profound enough and common enough to humanity that we can impute to them an enduring value. As such, some of my favorites might be too recent to consider "classics" by virtue of their enduring value.
I would think the modern classics are an easy place for disagreement in literary discussions. Only time will tell, I suppose. Some works are just that good though and deserve, at a minimum, the debate if not the designation.
What are your favorite classic works?
The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Idiot, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Demons, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
I struggled with Crime and Punishment, honestly. Ultimately good and worth it, but it was tough for me to get through. I've been stalling on reading more, mainly The Brothers Karamazov.
Doctor Zhivago, by Boris Pasternak
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
I've seen the movies, does that count? I always forget that A Clockwork Orange was a book first and never even think to read it.
Tender is the Night, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Haven't read this one, but was a fan of Gatsby. My wife liked Gatsby so much, she used to have a copy in her car.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde
This is on my list to check out.
The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri
This should have been on my list of favorites.
The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides
I've only ever read Sophocles, Oedipus & Antigone. Good, though disturbing stories. Poor man's family life was f'd up.
Beowulf
This should have been in my favorites as well.
I think which one I would suggest would depend on the person I was talking to. I think Brothers Karamazov is incredible, but I'm not sure how relevant it is to atheists, for example. I would guess I would recommend Doctor Zhivago as a more broadly appealing work.
I may have to rethink my hesitation on more Dostoevsky after this. Really that good? You do seem to have a particular interest in all things Russian, though.

What have you staunchly refused to read that might be considered a classic?
Moby Dick
Why don't you want to read it?
Almost everyone I know who has read it has not found any real value to it.
I read it a long time ago and agree with your friends.

Thanks for your reply!
The Classics - general discussion / survey
- 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM
1588 Views
My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM
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Re: My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM
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Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM
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Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then?
- 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM
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Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her.
- 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM
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Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM
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Re: Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM
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A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM
1167 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM
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I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM
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I could post you over a copy to borrow.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM
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That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately.
- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
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Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM
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I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM
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I study them, apparently.
- 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
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I wish I could do that.
- 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM
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Less fun than you'd think.
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
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More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it.
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
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- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
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Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM
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I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through.
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
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- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
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Good survey.
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
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Agreed. edited
- 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM
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But but but Milton is beautiful
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
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Sometimes.
- 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM
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I'm glad you approve on the whole.
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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I generally do.
- 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM
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Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
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Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
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Re: Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1145 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
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Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM
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I will not list 300+ books here, I promise
- 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM
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O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her.
- 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM
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Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago.
- 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM
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the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club...
- 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM
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