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Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow Send a noteboard - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM

Are you missing something? Yes. What makes it literature. The reason why it is good. Cliff's Notes are like ... powder soup. It is not soup. It is just a powdery, boring extract of soup and it lacks the soupness of it.

I agree 100%


Let me state that I did not rely on Cliff for every single reading project. Just the few that I found unappealing. I'm a slacker, but I do like to read certain things! I meant more about missing something that might make Austen / Bronte more appealing to me.

For some inexplicable reason in my AP English class my teacher said we were going to study Paradise Lost by the Cliff's notes. It was supposed to prepare us for college, but from reading the notes you completely miss the beauty of the piece you are studying.


This is weird. That it was mandated by the teacher. My AP teacher knew I was doing it on a few (and definitely did not approve). I very much enjoyed Paradise Lost, sans Cliff's notes.

Now, I appreciate the sidebars in works like Shakespeare that let you know how a word may be used differently in the play than it is now, but that's all the help I want with my literature.


This is a helpful aspect of Cliff on more difficult reading. I never used him in this capacity. Outside of avoiding certain assignments, I left Cliff on the shelf.
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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1587 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 1104 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 1221 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1218 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1442 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 1144 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 1043 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 1158 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 1403 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 1283 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1150 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1166 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 982 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1051 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 972 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 1055 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 479 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 664 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 1068 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1240 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 1168 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1229 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 1236 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1218 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1185 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 1133 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1011 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 1300 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 1187 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1022 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 1178 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1258 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 1246 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 928 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1006 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 1111 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 1181 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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