[shmode]

I'm an avid reader, although have never joined a book club of any sort , but have often loved older, what I would consider, 'classic' books. My question is, what makes a book a 'classic', or what are the 'classics'? Is it Hemmingway stuff (of which I don't enjoy), is it Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, is it Dickens, is it The Hobbit (which I personally think is a classic ), what are exactly 'classics'? Do you love old books that may not be considered 'classics' but are in your eyes?

Ok, back to lurkdom I go .

[mom2kylenkatie]

Dont disappear back into lurkdom please! I think all of those are considered classics. I wish I could read Dickens but I just cannot get into it at all.

Please dont sling away into lurk mode--join in more often

[rachinaz]

Classic is certainly a term open to interpretation. To a certain extent they need to be around for a while to show they have staying power. I would consider most of the books you listed to be classics, although I really don't enjoy Dickens and have really never gotten into Hemingway. Those lists that are put out periodically of the most influential English language novels are almost always made up exclusively of white male authors.

I know many people would consider The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy to be classics. Personally, I'm not a fan. I really tried to read LOTR and couldn't get past the first few chapters.

Just shows that we all have our biases and our interpretation of the definition of classics.

[shmode]

rachinaz, on May 15 2007, 06:51 PM, said:

Classic is certainly a term open to interpretation. To a certain extent they need to be around for a while to show they have staying power. I would consider most of the books you listed to be classics, although I really don't enjoy Dickens and have really never gotten into Hemingway. Those lists that are put out periodically of the most influential English language novels are almost always made up exclusively of white male authors.

I know many people would consider The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy to be classics. Personally, I'm not a fan. I really tried to read LOTR and couldn't get past the first few chapters.

Just shows that we all have our biases and our interpretation of the definition of classics.

Dayum, that's what I was thinking, I was really hoping for a list!LOL!

As for LOTR, I know a lot of people that can't get into them, I can't get into the Grapes of Wrath either, and it's supposed to be a 'classic'. Then there's anything written by George Orwell, hate, hate, hate his work with a passion. 1984 sucked beyond reason, as did Animal Farm, it just seemed like a useless man with no love for life writing a book and spreading such yuckiness!LOL! JMHO of course.

[rachinaz]

shmode, on May 16 2007, 07:15 AM, said:

[Then there's anything written by George Orwell, hate, hate, hate his work with a passion. 1984 sucked beyond reason, as did Animal Farm, it just seemed like a useless man with no love for life writing a book and spreading such yuckiness!LOL! JMHO of course.

See now, I really liked both of those! LOL! I'm guessing any list from me would not be what you're looking for.

[shmode]

rachinaz, on May 16 2007, 01:52 PM, said:

shmode, on May 16 2007, 07:15 AM, said:

[Then there's anything written by George Orwell, hate, hate, hate his work with a passion. 1984 sucked beyond reason, as did Animal Farm, it just seemed like a useless man with no love for life writing a book and spreading such yuckiness!LOL! JMHO of course.

See now, I really liked both of those! LOL! I'm guessing any list from me would not be what you're looking for.

Actually, I cannot dispute that they are classics, but I can dispute that they are *good* classics . I'm kidding of course, but seriously, I'd love to hear what other think are 'classics' for themselves.