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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 1480 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1066 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1001 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 998 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 954 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1092 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1112 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1347 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1037 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1208 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1053 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 1045 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 952 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1031 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1064 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1112 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1326 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1116 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1169 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1039 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1060 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1023 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 887 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 955 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 940 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1120 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 572 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 887 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 965 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 432 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 574 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 612 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1081 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 974 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1135 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1043 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 911 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1084 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1093 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 1119 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1110 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1072 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1004 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1031 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1044 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 927 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1049 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1032 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1212 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1041 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1013 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1092 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 939 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1181 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 996 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1086 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1137 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 996 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1074 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1023 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1043 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 969 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1134 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 834 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 927 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 941 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1024 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1082 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1042 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1090 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 877 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1047 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1172 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1091 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1047 Views
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