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Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai Send a noteboard - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM
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.

Oh, sorry if I sounded judgmental. I just meant that Cliff's notes gives you the highlights and someone's interpretation of the meaning, but you don't see how it actually makes you feel. And I've not read Austen or Bronte, so I can't tell you specifically what you miss there.

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.

I thought it was weird too, but then again that teacher and I never really saw eye to eye on much.

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.

Edit: Apparently I'm not reading very carefully today, this response actually addresses what you said, not what I thought I read.
This message last edited by Seriana Sedai on 06/10/2010 at 02:16:51 AM
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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1332 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 921 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 867 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 850 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 840 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 940 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 964 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1216 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 903 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1069 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 915 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 908 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 806 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 887 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 918 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 971 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1191 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 985 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1026 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 896 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 924 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 860 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 751 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 814 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 798 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 984 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 511 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 745 Views
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It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 375 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 504 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 534 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 961 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 868 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 992 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 895 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 783 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 942 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 962 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 967 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 972 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 940 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 877 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 890 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 902 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 778 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 907 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 898 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1055 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 892 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 883 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 954 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 788 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1054 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 864 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 941 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 997 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 844 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 935 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 884 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 892 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 833 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 984 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 692 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 777 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 815 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 889 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 939 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 919 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 949 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 772 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 924 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1035 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 958 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 919 Views
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