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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 1324 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 913 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 863 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 844 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 834 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 934 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 958 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1210 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 897 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1063 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 910 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 902 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 800 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 879 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 912 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 965 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1186 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 977 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1018 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 890 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 918 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 855 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 745 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 808 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 792 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 974 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 509 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 739 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 828 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 373 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 502 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 532 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 954 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 863 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 984 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 889 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 776 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 936 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 956 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 961 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 966 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 934 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 870 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 884 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 894 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 772 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 899 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 894 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1048 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 886 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 877 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 948 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 783 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1047 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 859 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 933 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 994 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 838 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 929 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 878 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 889 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 827 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 977 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 686 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 771 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 809 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 883 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 933 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 913 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 942 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 767 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 918 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1029 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 952 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 913 Views
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