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I understand your point. However... Haggard Send a noteboard - 09/10/2009 05:47:54 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.



I agree. I don't think the books I listed necessarily reach the level of "classics" as you describe. However, since this is a SF/F message board, I assumed folks would realize I meant classic SF/F.

If I was posting to a board devoted to rock music and I said I wanted to listen to some classics, people wouldn't assume I meant Beethoven or Mozart. I need to be more clear in the future. Lesson learned.

But, hey, if Obama can win the Nobel Peace Prize, Hyperion can be a classic. ;)
*MySmiley*
I'm drinkin' some George Jones,
and a little bit of Coe
Haggard's easin' my misery
and Waylon's keepin' me from home
Hank's givin' me those high times-
Cash is gonna sing it low
I'm here gettin' wasted-
just like my country heroes -Hank III
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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 1514 Views
Nabokov's The Original of Laura Tom - 08/10/2009 08:19:01 PM 1020 Views
I'd love that. Rebekah - 08/10/2009 08:25:39 PM 1054 Views
The real problem... Jacob - 08/10/2009 08:40:50 PM 938 Views
That's a good point too. Rebekah - 08/10/2009 08:45:30 PM 895 Views
Well, we could always discuss Nabokov in December. Tom - 08/10/2009 11:18:57 PM 860 Views
Done! Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:00:30 PM 857 Views
Hmm...I'm still thinking about the name Tom - 09/10/2009 03:57:48 PM 973 Views
I'd be up for reading Doctor Zhivago. Legolas - 08/10/2009 10:08:09 PM 889 Views
yeah, me too. only need to find it in a library near me. *NM* jh - 08/10/2009 10:09:32 PM 361 Views
Don't be cheap. Buy it. Tom - 08/10/2009 11:16:18 PM 893 Views
Well, I would, but I don't like online bookstores. jh - 09/10/2009 01:19:19 AM 927 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 900 Views
Oh, but... jh - 09/10/2009 11:01:01 AM 840 Views
Also: I did not say any such thing. *NM* jh - 10/10/2009 12:49:06 PM 365 Views
The Gone-Away World, obviously Camilla - 08/10/2009 09:23:12 PM 833 Views
Obviously. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:00:47 PM 852 Views
I second these statements *NM* Stephen - 13/10/2009 09:37:28 PM 393 Views
This one *NM* ironclad - 19/10/2009 10:44:37 PM 366 Views
AS Byatt - Possession. Legolas - 08/10/2009 10:21:39 PM 877 Views
It is a book of wonder. Possibly not good for the masses. *NM* Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:01:13 PM 468 Views
Perfect timing! Or, perhaps in December. Comet Sedai - 09/10/2009 09:35:00 PM 1022 Views
i loved that book!!! she is amazing. just wonderful writing... *NM* temeraire - 13/10/2009 08:44:59 PM 348 Views
How about a classic novel? Haggard - 08/10/2009 11:30:31 PM 1093 Views
You have a very strange definition of classics... *NM* jh - 09/10/2009 01:20:37 AM 393 Views
Replace "strange" with "erroneous" and I'll agree with you. Tom - 09/10/2009 02:09:27 AM 861 Views
Really? Haggard - 09/10/2009 03:08:53 AM 1321 Views
for classic science fiction, your list contained one I could support... jh - 09/10/2009 11:06:34 AM 889 Views
I'd be up for those. *NM* Haggard - 09/10/2009 05:34:19 PM 553 Views
You said "classic novel". Science fiction doesn't generally meet that standard. Tom - 09/10/2009 02:52:01 PM 950 Views
I understand your point. However... Haggard - 09/10/2009 05:47:54 PM 1296 Views
This isn't really a SF/F Board Tom - 09/10/2009 09:35:06 PM 878 Views
I like your list. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:02:09 PM 853 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 377 Views
Why? Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:32:05 PM 803 Views
And what book would that be??? Tom - 09/10/2009 03:47:49 PM 882 Views
Foucault's Pendulum seems like the obvious one. Legolas - 09/10/2009 03:58:37 PM 938 Views
Having both FP and NotR recently... RandAllThor - 09/10/2009 04:31:00 PM 801 Views
No way. Tom - 09/10/2009 04:56:39 PM 994 Views
Oh well. I'll have to blame my faulty memory then. Legolas - 09/10/2009 10:11:55 PM 781 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 1160 Views
That Hitchhiker book is as genuine as the "new" Winnie-the-Pooh book Tom - 09/10/2009 02:54:23 PM 913 Views
Perhaps, but it's worth remembering that... RandAllThor - 09/10/2009 03:45:53 PM 816 Views
Adams killed Arthur Dent for a reason Tom - 09/10/2009 05:02:23 PM 928 Views
The movie was not faithful to the books in any meaningful way. *NM* RandAllThor - 09/10/2009 08:58:01 PM 360 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 369 Views
Right. RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 02:37:08 AM 833 Views
One little thing Larry - 10/10/2009 02:39:01 AM 911 Views
Are you sure? RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 02:43:01 AM 862 Views
Yes Larry - 10/10/2009 04:02:40 AM 1095 Views
I stand corrected. Looking forward to your review! RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 01:00:38 PM 792 Views
Perhaps Larry - 09/10/2009 06:08:17 PM 943 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 821 Views
Pretty much (plus I have to finish reading the second half) Larry - 10/10/2009 05:34:38 AM 824 Views
A contrasting take on the first half of the book RandAllThor - 10/10/2009 04:10:18 PM 794 Views
Pretty sure Eugammon beat you to that sequel. Ghavrel - 19/10/2009 09:31:05 PM 1015 Views
Yes! Camilla - 19/10/2009 09:20:09 AM 712 Views
Rothfuss is a good idea, actually. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 02:59:53 PM 791 Views
There are a few, if I recall Larry - 09/10/2009 06:09:54 PM 786 Views
A question for you all. Rebekah - 09/10/2009 03:04:17 PM 846 Views
Sounds good to me. *NM* Legolas - 09/10/2009 03:29:54 PM 329 Views
I agree , or ... Nolan - 09/10/2009 04:36:03 PM 817 Views
That could work if people were interested enough. Rebekah - 11/10/2009 12:40:16 PM 819 Views
That would be cool with me. *NM* Bryce - 10/10/2009 10:32:15 AM 352 Views
Sounds interesting. *NM* BlackAdder - 13/10/2009 08:51:31 PM 317 Views
I suggest Nolan - 09/10/2009 04:58:27 PM 823 Views
Acacia: The War with the Mein by David Anthony Durham Sir Tybalt - 10/10/2009 02:32:59 PM 790 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 539 Views
I'd say yes. Pretty sure the people here will be Left Behind. *NM* Rebekah - 11/10/2009 12:39:05 PM 453 Views
Some will probably even be actively serving the Antichrist. Tom - 11/10/2009 04:16:45 PM 1032 Views
Prefer not to. Ouranid - 12/10/2009 03:14:30 AM 698 Views
Diary of a Drug Fiend was rather good. *NM* Tom - 12/10/2009 03:57:42 PM 358 Views
A compromise candidate RandAllThor - 14/10/2009 06:40:56 PM 694 Views
Fantastic book! I am always for putting that on any list. *NM* Tom - 14/10/2009 07:03:35 PM 358 Views
Is it bad that I read this as 'submissives wanted' PhotoJim - 14/10/2009 08:04:31 PM 991 Views
Hyperion *NM* Chas - 15/10/2009 01:56:31 AM 319 Views
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