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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow Send a noteboard - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM
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 understand you now. Thanks for the clarification. It's more a matter of execution and presentation.

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.


I actually noted that, the first time I tried to reply to you, and it didn't post for some reason. Either way, I think I'll start with The Brothers Karamazov and see if I want to try the others.


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


I'll have to add this one to the list too then. I really enjoyed his writing style and I like the added parrallel to his personal life, even if it's a sad one.
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The Classics - general discussion / survey - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1663 Views
My own answers. - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1255 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1156 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1169 Views
Get a copy with annotations! - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1110 Views
Re: My own answers. - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1294 Views
Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1272 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1497 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1223 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1355 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1099 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1179 Views
Re: My own answers. - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1232 Views
Cliff's notes - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1285 Views
Re: Cliff's notes - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1459 Views
Re: Cliff's notes - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1289 Views
It's cool. - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1345 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1213 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1225 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1273 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 1046 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1113 Views
Yes. - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1114 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1290 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM* - 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM 656 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 1038 Views
It is good. *NM* - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 509 Views
totally problematic classics - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1236 Views
Re: totally problematic classics - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1124 Views
I study them, apparently. - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1305 Views
I wish I could do that. - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1208 Views
Less fun than you'd think. - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1077 Views
Good survey. - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1281 Views
Agreed. edited - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1239 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1158 Views
Sometimes. - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1189 Views
Maybe I was unclear. - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1192 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1065 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1269 Views
I generally do. - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1193 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1353 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1207 Views
Dickens - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1162 Views
Re: I generally do. - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1249 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1092 Views
Re: Good survey. - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1351 Views
My classics - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1153 Views
Re: My classics - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1244 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1323 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1170 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1239 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1208 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1199 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1120 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1308 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 989 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1063 Views
I figured as much. - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1086 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1166 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1220 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1192 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1252 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 1040 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1215 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1363 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1228 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1223 Views

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