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.
Not unless you went to High School in the illustrious state of SC. Some of the worst public education in the country. I'm almost certain this is how I could get good grades with Cliff's help.
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
I dig most of those. What is the Periodic Table about, if not Chemistry? I've not heard of that one. Like seeing another Twain fan there.
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)
I have read basically nothing out of the east, so I'll have to take your word for this.
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.
May have to check these out too.
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.
I've not heard of this one either. Doesn't sound promising!
The Classics - general discussion / survey
- 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM
1332 Views
My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM
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Re: My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM
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Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM
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Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then?
- 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM
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Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her.
- 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM
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Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM
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A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM
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I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM
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I could post you over a copy to borrow.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM
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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
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- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
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Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM
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I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM
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I study them, apparently.
- 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
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I wish I could do that.
- 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM
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Less fun than you'd think. 
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
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More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. 
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
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- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
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Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM
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I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through.
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
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- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
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Good survey. 
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
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- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
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Agreed. edited
- 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM
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But but but Milton is beautiful
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
877 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
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Sometimes.
- 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM
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I'm glad you approve on the whole.
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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I generally do.
- 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM
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Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
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Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
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Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
892 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
892 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM
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I will not list 300+ books here, I promise
- 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM
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O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her.
- 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM
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Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago.
- 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM
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the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club...
- 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM
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