I conclude that Amazon's list needs to be put out of its misory. Tolkien, yes. The other two...
There were plenty of other surprises on there, leading me to believe that, yes, that list was worthless.
I enjoy Jane Eyre. But that is because I immediately forget the religious nonsense.
I have often wondered, and please don't take this the wrong way, if you have to be female to identify with or enjoy Jane Eyre. I don't remember ever hearing from a male who loved it. Not that that's an appropriate excuse not to read it.
That is possible. I think it helps to have a slight crush on Rochester.
Well those first few pages were horrid and the Cliff's Notes that got me through class were dull too. I think at this point it’s more of an ingrained habit of avoidance. Am I missing something?
Why anyone would want to use Cliff's Notes is beyond me.
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 meant was a missing some appeal to Austen or Bronte that I should endevour to read it, not comparing to the quality of Cliff's Notes to the actual work. I do enjoy the soup analogy though, that was well done. 

Thank you. I was quite happy with the soup analogy. But I do think that a lot of the impression that classics are boring comes from people choosing Cliff's notes.
I definitely think you may be missing something, if nothing else the many references to these books in later fiction. I know Austen can appeal to men (my boyfriend is quite a fan). Brontë probably also, altough I haven't asked around. They may be more intellectual reads if you do not have a crush on anyone in the story.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Classics - general discussion / survey
- 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM
1586 Views
My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM
1200 Views
Re: My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM
1220 Views
Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM
1218 Views
Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM
1442 Views
Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM
1157 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then?
- 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM
1143 Views
Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her.
- 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM
1144 Views
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
1402 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM
1149 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
1166 Views
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
981 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM
621 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM
971 Views
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
1054 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
1054 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM
616 Views
I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM
663 Views
I study them, apparently.
- 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
1239 Views
I wish I could do that.
- 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM
1143 Views
Less fun than you'd think.
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
1009 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
1009 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it.
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
1167 Views
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
1167 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM
1228 Views
I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through.
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
1235 Views
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
1235 Views
Good survey.
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
1217 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
1217 Views
Agreed. edited
- 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM
1184 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
1093 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
1093 Views
Sometimes.
- 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM
1118 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole.
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
1207 Views
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
1207 Views
I generally do.
- 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM
1134 Views
Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1299 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1299 Views
Re: Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1143 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1143 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
1257 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM
1103 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM
1167 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM
1148 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise
- 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM
1245 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her.
- 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM
927 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago.
- 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM
1126 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club...
- 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM
1296 Views
