Let’s talk about all things Classics. Do you like the genre? What are some of your favorites?
Julie:
Honestly, I’m not very well read in the classics genre. I read the ones we had to for school, but seeing as those were quite a bit stuffy and we analyzed them to death, I mostly got turned off on the genre. There are some, however, that I’ve read by choice and loved, such as Gone with the Wind, Jane Eyre, and Phantom of the Opera.
Rose:
I find the classics to be difficult to understand as I am sure others do since often times I am lacking the cultural reference that is necessary to read them and really understand their impact. I think books are less subtle today, or perhaps that is because I get the subtle references to current events. I am not sure. The first “classic” I ever read that I did not find to be boring and difficult was Jane Eyre. After that, I tried other classics that weren’t as stuffy as I would have thought.
Lynn:
I think the true marker of a classic is a book that’s just as relevant today as when it was written. I definitely haven’t read all the classics, but have read some. And more than the ones just required in school. I like Austen, Shakespeare, Bronte, Verne. Catch-22 is amazing. I like the Greek Tragedies. But, there are many Classics I didn’t enjoy, haven’t read, and have no intention of reading. I think that as readers, we should challenge ourselves, broaden our horizons. But I also think we should read what we want. If you aren’t interested in a life before cell phones, air planes, and tv, you don’t have to read those stories. If you are, then start with a genre you already like, do some research, and try out a Classic.
[…] Julie, Rose, and Lynn share their thoughts on classics. […]
I grew up on classics, so I have a fondness for them. I especially love old mystery books like The Bobbsey Twins. Anne of Green Gables was also a favorite, and Jane Eyre is the best!
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I haven’t heard of the Bobbsey Twins, but I used to read a lot of mystery so maybe I should add that to my someday list.
Honestly? I loathe nearly all classics. I have enjoyed a VERY small handful to an extent, but… yeah. I kind of blame my dad, who made me read and do a book report on David Copperfield over the summer when I was 10. True and ridiculous story- no real reason, just to “stay in academic mode”. (He didn’t think the books I read- you know, the age appropriate ones?- were stimulating enough.) I didn’t usually even bother reading them in high school or college, after my freshman year of high school I got pretty good at getting by with Cliffs Notes and B.S.ing 😉
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What is it about parents and making us continue academic mode even during school breaks?
Back in school, I didn’t like classics because we analyzed them so much. Interestingly enough, now that I’m free to read classics on my own I kinda miss that analysis and discussion in class. Contradictory thoughts I know. Anyways, Jane Austen is queen when it comes to classics. I also like Tolstoy, Shakespeare and really dislike Charles Dickens 🙂
I feel the same way with any books we had to analyze to death in school.
As an English major, I reveled in analyzing the classics. Now I can bare to read them because I don’t get what’s going on under all the heavy language.
I did read Dracula again within the last couple years after reading a HORRIBLE sequel. I only mad it through with a copy of Barron’s Notes by my side.
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Second Run Reviews
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Dracula the Undead? I kind of liked that one.
The one by Dacre Stoker? Yes, that’s the one.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80415554
I remember loving classics when I was in high school, but somewhere along the line I kind of lost my enthusiasm for them. I don’t know why!
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Hmm maybe you enjoyed the discussions you had about them in school?
I have a degree in Eng Lit so I’ve read my fair share of classics. Some I loved…some were ‘meh’…and some I couldn’t stand. I actually focused on British Lit after taking an American Lit class and not enjoying it. (yep, I wasn’t a fan of Hemingway or Faulkner) I adore Austen & Shakespeare, enjoyed DeFoe and Swift. But I also love Poe, Hawthorne, and Crane. In my early 30’s, I tried again with some American authors and ended up a big fan of Steinbeck. Faulkner, however…still not a fan. 🙂
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Ooh fancy literature lady 🙂
I think there are classics in every genre, so if you like genre fiction, look for classics in that genre. For example, I love thrillers, and it turns out I love classic thrillers like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and books by Wilkie Collins.
Ooh that’s a really good point, to try to find classics in specific genre. Maybe I should give Dracula or Frankenstein another try.
There are so many classics that I would like to read, but haven’t because I am too intimidated. I also find them a bit hard to understand. I was not a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion. However, I just read Jane Eyre for the first time and loved it!!
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Classics can definitely be intimidating, I agree. Glad you enjoyed Jane Eyre though 🙂
I want to read the classics. I feel like I should read the classics. I feel like everyone has read them, but me, and that somehow makes me a bad reader. I know this isn’t true, but I feel like people get all judgey. “Oh you only read YA, how juvenile. *scoff*” I KNOW this is all in my head, but I’m glad some of you aren’t into the classic books. The ones I have tried usually have period language that for me is difficult to follow. I will give Jane Eyre a shot because you all seem to like that one though!
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I don’t think not liking classics makes you a bad reader, and people tend to get judgey about anything these days.
Classics are tougher to get through, but I kind of like that. Working for it, so to speak 🙂 On the other hand, I’m reading Oliver Twist with my son. We’re doing one chapter every evening and is excruciating how many times we have to stop so I can explain what the sentences actually mean. But it makes me feel very wise, so it’s cool 😛
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Yea it definitely takes some work, and maybe part of the problem is I don’t understand a lot from context so the reading isn’t as enjoyable.