Jun 05 2009
Read Any Classics Lately?
“A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” (Mark Twain)
Have you read any classics lately? I know most of us have to read some when we’re in high school and college, but do you remember any of them? I’ve decided (in my advancing years) to read most of the classics. I dug out an old copy of “Wuthering Heights” and am having trouble getting “into” it because it’s not my usual kind of reading material. Anyone have any particular favorites when it comes to the classics? Suggestions would be appreciated.
It makes you wonder, in the next 100 years, what books will be elevated to the status of “classics”. I don’t think it will be any of the ones by current and ex-politicians, but you never know. Seems like everyone from movie stars to auto mechanics now want to write a book about their sad childhood, and expect the story to be turned into a movie of the week. I could write one myself (even thought about that at one time) but my life was not all that interesting when it’s put down on paper. I have come up with a few entertaining stories of things that happened in the past, most of which I’ve already shared on this blog, (some I will never tell ~ those might be the ones that people would find interesting!)
Actually, my life was pretty normal (for an erratic Aquarian): birth, school, more school, work, married, kid, more work, divorce, still more work, married, kid, divorce, married, divorce, married, retired from work, bored, living thru my children and grandchildren, wondering what’s next.
I’ve discovered that blogging gives a person the opportunity to share thoughts and experiences that other people read, but mostly don’t care about anyway, and is only an outlet for me to express the things that I probably wouldn’t say in the course of everyday conversation. One of the things I find totally funny about blogging, is that there is always someone out there who wants to correct your personal thoughts. It’s like asking someone for an opinion and then arguing with them when you get it. Okay, got a little off course here ~~~~~~
How about those classics? You’re welcome to comment and let me know what your favorite ones are (and I promise to not tell you that you’re wrong!)
I have a profile in a site called Shelfari.com. It’s one of those sites for bookworms. I love reading and knowing what other people read about. There was a discussion about the classics not long ago. This is what I wrote regarding what makes a classic.
“In my opinion, for a book to become a classic it does have to stand the test of time. And to do so, it must leave something behind.
1- Weather it created unforgettable characters and I said unforgettable not likable (Romeo and Juliet are the eternal symbol of forbidden love).
2- Was set in a way that the reader can travel through time and be there (All quiet on the western front… I don’t know take your pick).
3- Or if it portrayed an event (fictional or real) that became a symbol (say Big Brother in 1984. Who doesn’t get that reference now, and not only due to the reality show, how about surveillance cameras in the bank or on the street and buildings?).
4- How about how a book influenced a generation or public opinion? (Uncle Tom’s Cabin).
5- Or simply because it speaks to the reader.”
I have to say that you are right there are so many books out there that many read the classics when they were in school and pick one up once in a while. But the discussion also talked about the books that readers consider will become the “new classics”.
Regarding this you might want to read The Book Thief, many (I haven’t read it yet) think it will go on the list soon. As for me, I think The Boy in Stripped Pajamas will also be added to the list (FYI not the movie, the book). You will immediately notice the difference in styles when you open these books but the themes are timeless. Give them a try you might find that you are now more interested in the “new classics”.
The Book Thief by Zusak Markus and The Boy In Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne
Happy reading and if you feel like commenting on either of them (I plan to read The Book Thief soon) I’m a fellow blogger here www.xpressoutloud.today.com
[I promise not to tell you if you are right or wrong. It’s reading it’s always a matter of opinion]
My personal favorites (Trading with the Enemy & The Dark Side of Camelot) won’t be among the “classics” because they do not show the best side of politicians–LOL–guess our grandkids can look forward to having read one of 15–that Barack Obama will have written by the time he finally falls out of power…God help them!
http://gyroscope2000.today.com