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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 1720 Views
My own answers. - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1325 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1235 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1236 Views
Get a copy with annotations! - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1166 Views
Re: My own answers. - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1366 Views
Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1346 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1578 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1286 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1418 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1170 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1240 Views
Re: My own answers. - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1309 Views
Cliff's notes - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1359 Views
Re: Cliff's notes - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1528 Views
Re: Cliff's notes - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1359 Views
It's cool. - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1407 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1289 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1292 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1356 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 1148 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1180 Views
Yes. - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1174 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1369 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM* - 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM 692 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 1107 Views
It is good. *NM* - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 546 Views
totally problematic classics - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1305 Views
Re: totally problematic classics - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1193 Views
I study them, apparently. - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1381 Views
I wish I could do that. - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1306 Views
Less fun than you'd think. - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1142 Views
Good survey. - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1346 Views
Agreed. edited - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1328 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1226 Views
Sometimes. - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1291 Views
Maybe I was unclear. - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1261 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1137 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1339 Views
I generally do. - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1253 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1425 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1313 Views
Dickens - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1249 Views
Re: I generally do. - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1318 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1159 Views
Re: Good survey. - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1428 Views
My classics - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1212 Views
Re: My classics - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1311 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1391 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1245 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1313 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1279 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1268 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1184 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1395 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 1082 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1115 Views
I figured as much. - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1144 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1241 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1299 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1267 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1313 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 1100 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1303 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1412 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1288 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1275 Views

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