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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 1688 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1289 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1199 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1205 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1136 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1329 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1307 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1537 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1250 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1379 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1233 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 1268 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1131 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1211 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1272 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1318 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1492 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1319 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1372 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1247 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1259 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1310 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 1090 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1140 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1144 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1317 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 670 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 1068 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 1144 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 524 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 662 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 703 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1264 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1160 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1340 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1243 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1108 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1251 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1325 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 1326 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1312 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1274 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1189 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1232 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1224 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1101 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1304 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1222 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1383 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1246 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1204 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1282 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1121 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1390 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1178 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1275 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1351 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1213 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1271 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1240 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1229 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1153 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1337 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 1015 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1084 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1112 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1197 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1255 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1222 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1278 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 1068 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1264 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1383 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1257 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1246 Views
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