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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 1719 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1322 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1232 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1234 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1166 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1366 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1344 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1576 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1284 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1416 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1270 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 1320 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1168 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1238 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1306 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1354 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1526 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1357 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1407 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1287 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1290 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1353 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 1145 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1178 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1172 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1365 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 692 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 1104 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 1172 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 546 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 683 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 726 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1303 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1190 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1379 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1304 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1141 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1287 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1366 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 1364 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1344 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1326 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1223 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1289 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1259 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1135 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1336 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1250 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1422 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1311 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1245 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1316 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1156 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1424 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1211 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1309 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1389 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1243 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1309 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1278 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1266 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1182 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1391 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 1077 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1113 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1142 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1237 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1296 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1264 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1311 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 1097 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1299 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1412 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1286 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1275 Views
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