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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom Send a noteboard - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM
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.
I don't really mean either. The ideas themselves may not be difficult to grasp OR challenge predominant views, but their presentation in a literary work may be done in such a way that it's not immediately apparent, or that requires reading a hundred pages of seemingly meaningless exposition before their impact can be felt.

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.

Note that I did NOT put Crime and Punishment on my list of favorites. I think it's perhaps Dostoevsky's least successful "major" work. It's slower, less developed and a bit predictable.

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.

Tender is the Night is his last finished novel and very autobiographical. As a result, it's quite sad.

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.

As a Russian literature major in undergrad, I have that tendency.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.

ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius

Ummaka qinnassa nīk!

*MySmiley*
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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1586 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1200 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1102 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1103 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1045 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1220 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1218 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1441 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1157 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1300 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 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. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM 1144 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1042 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1109 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1157 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1207 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1402 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1220 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1282 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1149 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1165 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1167 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 981 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1050 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1056 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1220 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 621 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 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. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM 1054 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 478 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 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* Tom - 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM 663 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1170 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1067 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1239 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1143 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1009 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1167 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 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. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM 1235 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1217 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1184 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1093 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1118 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1132 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1010 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1207 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1134 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1299 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1143 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1093 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1186 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1021 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1284 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1087 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1177 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1257 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1103 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1167 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1148 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1129 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1058 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1245 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 927 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1005 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1020 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1110 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1163 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1126 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1180 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 968 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1147 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1296 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1171 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1170 Views
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