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You said "classic novel". Science fiction doesn't generally meet that standard. Tom Send a noteboard - 09/10/2009 02:52:01 PM
Classic novels are books like A Tale of Two Cities, Don Quixote, The Brothers Karamazov or Les Miserables.

Most people wouldn't include science fiction as a category that generates "classic novels" (with some notable exceptions). The reason is that there is no "recognized value" (using your definition) to stories that are primarily entertainment but have little deeper meaning. Additionally, for those that do have deeper meaning (Lem, for example), frequently they are too recent to have established a consensus on "value" - part of what makes a book a classic is that it stands the test of time and retains value several generations after it is written.

Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.

ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius

Ummaka qinnassa nīk!

*MySmiley*
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November Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club: submissions ended! ... New new edit on 18/10/2009 Rebekah - 08/10/2009 06:56:01 PM 1819 Views
Nabokov's The Original of Laura Tom - 08/10/2009 08:19:01 PM 1287 Views
I'd love that. Rebekah - 08/10/2009 08:25:39 PM 1311 Views
The real problem... Jacob - 08/10/2009 08:40:50 PM 1209 Views
That's a good point too. Rebekah - 08/10/2009 08:45:30 PM 1178 Views
Well, we could always discuss Nabokov in December. Tom - 08/10/2009 11:18:57 PM 1164 Views
Done! Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:00:30 PM 1170 Views
Hmm...I'm still thinking about the name Tom - 09/10/2009 03:57:48 PM 1262 Views
I'd be up for reading Doctor Zhivago. Legolas - 08/10/2009 10:08:09 PM 1180 Views
yeah, me too. only need to find it in a library near me. *NM* jh - 08/10/2009 10:09:32 PM 515 Views
Don't be cheap. Buy it. Tom - 08/10/2009 11:16:18 PM 1185 Views
Well, I would, but I don't like online bookstores. jh - 09/10/2009 01:19:19 AM 1231 Views
Well, but you just said you didn't know if you could find it in the library. Tom - 09/10/2009 02:07:54 AM 1160 Views
Oh, but... jh - 09/10/2009 11:01:01 AM 1158 Views
Also: I did not say any such thing. *NM* jh - 10/10/2009 12:49:06 PM 514 Views
The Gone-Away World, obviously Camilla - 08/10/2009 09:23:12 PM 1119 Views
Obviously. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:00:47 PM 1176 Views
I second these statements *NM* Stephen - 13/10/2009 09:37:28 PM 535 Views
This one *NM* ironclad - 19/10/2009 10:44:37 PM 520 Views
AS Byatt - Possession. Legolas - 08/10/2009 10:21:39 PM 1175 Views
It is a book of wonder. Possibly not good for the masses. *NM* Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:01:13 PM 609 Views
Perfect timing! Or, perhaps in December. Comet Sedai - 09/10/2009 09:35:00 PM 1312 Views
i loved that book!!! she is amazing. just wonderful writing... *NM* temeraire - 13/10/2009 08:44:59 PM 482 Views
How about a classic novel? Haggard - 08/10/2009 11:30:31 PM 1405 Views
You have a very strange definition of classics... *NM* jh - 09/10/2009 01:20:37 AM 558 Views
Replace "strange" with "erroneous" and I'll agree with you. Tom - 09/10/2009 02:09:27 AM 1133 Views
Really? Haggard - 09/10/2009 03:08:53 AM 1629 Views
for classic science fiction, your list contained one I could support... jh - 09/10/2009 11:06:34 AM 1185 Views
I'd be up for those. *NM* Haggard - 09/10/2009 05:34:19 PM 695 Views
You said "classic novel". Science fiction doesn't generally meet that standard. Tom - 09/10/2009 02:52:01 PM 1219 Views
I understand your point. However... Haggard - 09/10/2009 05:47:54 PM 1588 Views
This isn't really a SF/F Board Tom - 09/10/2009 09:35:06 PM 1163 Views
I like your list. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:02:09 PM 1134 Views
I think if you're gonna do Eco, picking another book to start with would be wiser... *NM* Legolas - 09/10/2009 03:28:50 PM 514 Views
Why? Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:32:05 PM 1075 Views
And what book would that be??? Tom - 09/10/2009 03:47:49 PM 1154 Views
Foucault's Pendulum seems like the obvious one. Legolas - 09/10/2009 03:58:37 PM 1248 Views
Having both FP and NotR recently... RandAllThor - 09/10/2009 04:31:00 PM 1129 Views
No way. Tom - 09/10/2009 04:56:39 PM 1280 Views
Oh well. I'll have to blame my faulty memory then. Legolas - 09/10/2009 10:11:55 PM 1067 Views
Based on past experiences here and elsewhere, it'll be hard to choose the "right" book Larry - 09/10/2009 02:46:22 AM 1483 Views
That Hitchhiker book is as genuine as the "new" Winnie-the-Pooh book Tom - 09/10/2009 02:54:23 PM 1194 Views
Perhaps, but it's worth remembering that... RandAllThor - 09/10/2009 03:45:53 PM 1093 Views
Adams killed Arthur Dent for a reason Tom - 09/10/2009 05:02:23 PM 1198 Views
The movie was not faithful to the books in any meaningful way. *NM* RandAllThor - 09/10/2009 08:58:01 PM 497 Views
The movie sucked, yes. Adams had also been dead for four years when it came out. *NM* Tom - 10/10/2009 02:19:38 AM 500 Views
Right. RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 02:37:08 AM 1121 Views
One little thing Larry - 10/10/2009 02:39:01 AM 1197 Views
Are you sure? RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 02:43:01 AM 1118 Views
Yes Larry - 10/10/2009 04:02:40 AM 1417 Views
I stand corrected. Looking forward to your review! RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 01:00:38 PM 1082 Views
Perhaps Larry - 09/10/2009 06:08:17 PM 1240 Views
So on Monday we'll find out if the widow's cash need resulted in a good book. Tom - 10/10/2009 04:21:22 AM 1122 Views
Pretty much (plus I have to finish reading the second half) Larry - 10/10/2009 05:34:38 AM 1106 Views
A contrasting take on the first half of the book RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 04:10:18 PM 1100 Views
Pretty sure Eugammon beat you to that sequel. Ghavrel - 19/10/2009 09:31:05 PM 1294 Views
Yes! Camilla - 19/10/2009 09:20:09 AM 995 Views
Rothfuss is a good idea, actually. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 02:59:53 PM 1097 Views
There are a few, if I recall Larry - 09/10/2009 06:09:54 PM 1059 Views
A question for you all. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:04:17 PM 1159 Views
Sounds good to me. *NM* Legolas - 09/10/2009 03:29:54 PM 476 Views
I agree , or ... Nolan - 09/10/2009 04:36:03 PM 1096 Views
That could work if people were interested enough. Rebekah - 11/10/2009 12:40:16 PM 1111 Views
That would be cool with me. *NM* Bryce - 10/10/2009 10:32:15 AM 484 Views
Sounds interesting. *NM* BlackAdder - 13/10/2009 08:51:31 PM 446 Views
I suggest Nolan - 09/10/2009 04:58:27 PM 1122 Views
Acacia: The War with the Mein by David Anthony Durham Sir Tybalt - 10/10/2009 02:32:59 PM 1086 Views
You didn't mention the rapture! If that happens, will the club still be on? *NM* Bryce - 11/10/2009 07:51:59 AM 664 Views
I'd say yes. Pretty sure the people here will be Left Behind. *NM* Rebekah - 11/10/2009 12:39:05 PM 587 Views
Some will probably even be actively serving the Antichrist. Tom - 11/10/2009 04:16:45 PM 1309 Views
Prefer not to. Ouranid - 12/10/2009 03:14:30 AM 973 Views
Diary of a Drug Fiend was rather good. *NM* Tom - 12/10/2009 03:57:42 PM 481 Views
A compromise candidate RandAllThor - 14/10/2009 06:40:56 PM 985 Views
Fantastic book! I am always for putting that on any list. *NM* Tom - 14/10/2009 07:03:35 PM 499 Views
Is it bad that I read this as 'submissives wanted' PhotoJim - 14/10/2009 08:04:31 PM 1283 Views
Hyperion *NM* Chas - 15/10/2009 01:56:31 AM 452 Views
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