I just found it boring. I was also annoyed by the fact that there was so much descriptive detail about things that I didn't really care about, while some elements that might have interested me more were barely touched on, like the science involved. Tom's comments above about the downfalls of the epistolary frame are equally applicable to this book too.
Having said all that though, I will probably reread it at some point. I didn't like Moby Dick the first time I read it either, and it took me several tries before I was able to appreciate Shakespeare. Also, Frankenstein was required reading for me, and I always tend to like something less if it's forced on me.
I've never really thought of ranking all older books before, but I would probably have Candide at number one.
Having said all that though, I will probably reread it at some point. I didn't like Moby Dick the first time I read it either, and it took me several tries before I was able to appreciate Shakespeare. Also, Frankenstein was required reading for me, and I always tend to like something less if it's forced on me.
I've never really thought of ranking all older books before, but I would probably have Candide at number one.
A few thoughts on my Classic challenge book. Well, books, as it turns out.
22/01/2011 11:48:21 PM
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This month is just making me hate classics.
23/01/2011 12:06:08 AM
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Aw. That's a shame.
23/01/2011 12:21:10 AM
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Re: Aw. That's a shame.
23/01/2011 12:55:44 PM
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Hrm... a high fantasy classic...
23/01/2011 01:15:05 PM
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Yes.
23/01/2011 01:17:18 PM
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Dunsany is good. And Grimm, but
23/01/2011 01:25:40 PM
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There's really only one high fantasy classic, no? Or two, if you count the Silm separately. *NM*
23/01/2011 01:35:03 PM
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Perhaps Gormenghast?
23/01/2011 01:58:50 PM
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H. Rider Haggard.
23/01/2011 01:24:01 PM
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You can't love all of the classics, but it's not like it's a genre of its own that you can dislike.
23/01/2011 12:32:01 AM
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The Swiss Family Robinson is hardly a "classic", unless by "classic" you mean "old".
23/01/2011 06:55:30 AM
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A lot of "classics" need proper context to be appreciated
23/01/2011 12:22:44 PM
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Well said.
23/01/2011 12:46:35 PM
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Re: Well said.
24/01/2011 02:33:10 AM
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That reminds me I need to get back to the Mémoires of Marguerite de Valois.
24/01/2011 10:17:17 PM
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Very true
23/01/2011 01:04:56 PM
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Speaking of Dumas...
24/01/2011 02:45:02 AM
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ooooh
24/01/2011 08:51:46 AM
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The Molière movie is called... wait for it...
24/01/2011 10:21:48 PM
- 1037 Views
oooh
24/01/2011 10:24:19 PM
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Re: oooh
24/01/2011 10:29:23 PM
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Re: oooh
25/01/2011 01:15:39 AM
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I really should watch that movie.
25/01/2011 09:43:35 PM
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Re: I really should watch that movie.
25/01/2011 11:15:10 PM
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Why not? We liked Le Déclin de l'Empire Américain and Les Invasions Barbares. *NM*
26/01/2011 06:45:26 PM
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Re: Why not? We liked Le Déclin de l'Empire Américain and Les Invasions Barbares.
27/01/2011 12:26:48 PM
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Re: A few thoughts on my Classic challenge book. Well, books, as it turns out.
23/01/2011 06:25:50 AM
- 1035 Views
The big problem with Dracula is that it's an epistolary novel.
23/01/2011 06:58:25 AM
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Dracula is the book I hope to review (properly) today. I love it. So very much.
23/01/2011 10:08:34 AM
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The challenge is making me wish I hadn't already read Frankenstein
23/01/2011 07:38:49 AM
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Really?
23/01/2011 07:52:24 AM
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I didn't mind The Importance of Being Earnest too much
23/01/2011 08:38:14 AM
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Frankenstein
23/01/2011 09:05:10 AM
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...
23/01/2011 09:08:03 AM
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Thank you. *NM*
23/01/2011 10:10:34 AM
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For, as usual, being my wonderful, divine self and bringing light to the world? *NM*
23/01/2011 10:12:30 AM
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Re: A few thoughts on my Classic challenge book. Well, books, as it turns out.
23/01/2011 08:53:01 AM
- 996 Views
I just read A Christmas Carol as well. It's very short, alright.
02/02/2011 08:46:16 PM
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