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Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder Send a noteboard - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
Legolas' post about Emma and Rebekah's challenge got me thinking that there are a lot of "classics" floating around out there that certain people (myself included) may never have given a chance. This will be true, regardless of what you consider a "classic" to be. I leaned a little too heavily on a man named Cliff during school to avoid getting too far out of my comfort zone. Also, making something "required" reading usually took away some of it's appeal for me.

I totally didn't go to the same school you did (probably), but I know this Cliff fellow. He was quite the popular guy in school; not bad for a total bookworm.

How do you define a classic work or author?

Probably something that is widely appreciated and widely taught/held up as an example.

What are your favorite classic works?

I don't read much and I'm going to leave out quite a few, but my favorites:

Western: Candide, Notre Dame de Paris, Jungle Book, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Don Quixote, The Inferno, Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, Tale of Two Cities, The Periodic Table (to my shock, it wasn't about Chemistry), The Prince, Return of the Native, 1984, Animal Farm, Common Sense, Wealth of Nations, Democracy in America, Leviathan, Social Contract, Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn, works by Homer, Virgil, Poe, Verne, Moliere

Eastern (not as many favorites here): The Analects, Tale of Genji, Midnight's Children, Ramayana, Journey to the West, Camel Xiangzi, Muqaddimah (actually, this might technically be Western, but w/e)

If you had to suggest just one, which would it be and why? (please not, "because it's good" )

Hmm, I really like several of them, they're good in different ways. I will say though:

Western: Candide. I love the story-telling; it moves very rapidly and everything is done quite comically. And yet, there is a satire to it if you choose to read it on that level (it's not necessary though). Next in line would be Notre Dame de Paris, probably.

Eastern: Hmm, tough to choose. Midnight's Children is nice, but kind of topical. I'd probably go with Journey to the West or Camel Xiangzi since they deal with larger themes and give you a better idea of creative thinking in Eastern works. It's pretty different from Western ideas. Ramayana is pretty cool as well.

What have you staunchly refused to read that might be considered a classic?

Well, not refused, but I could never get through Hesse's Siddartha

Why don't you want to read it?

It was really boring for me. I could not get past the first few chapters. I don't really know.. it just wasn't for me.
This message last edited by BlackAdder on 30/09/2010 at 11:55:10 PM
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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1689 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1290 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1201 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1206 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1136 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1329 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1309 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1539 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1252 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1381 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1235 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 1270 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1131 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1213 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1274 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1319 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1493 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1320 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1372 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1248 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1261 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1312 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 1091 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1142 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1146 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1319 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 670 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 1070 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 1145 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 524 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 662 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 703 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1266 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1160 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1342 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1245 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1109 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1253 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1326 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 1328 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1314 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1276 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1191 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1234 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1225 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1103 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1305 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1222 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1384 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1247 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1206 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1284 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1122 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1391 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1178 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1277 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1353 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1213 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1273 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1240 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1231 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1155 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1338 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 1016 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1086 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1114 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1199 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1256 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1224 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1280 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 1070 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1266 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1385 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1258 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1248 Views
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