Post: Reply | Quote

I'm planning on "expanding my horizons". I've read very few of what are termed classics, like Moby Dick, Lord of the Flies, Bonfire of the Vanities, or Gone with the Wind.

What are your favotite classics and why? Which would give interesting insights into writing styles?

Thanks for any opinions.

Brad.

Post: Reply | Quote

Lord of the Flies is about the only 'classic' I have ever read. I loved it for the pure human-ness of the characters, the journey from civilised creatures, to primitive and the eventual re-awakening of 'humanity'. Brilliant. I read it years ago, before I knew anything about writing, so I can't comment on style or anything. But this is inspiring me to actually go out and buy it so I have a copy and reread it...

..............................
"the universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference - Richard Dawkins
Asteroid B-612

Post: Reply | Quote

Brad

There are a gazillion I could recommend...

What about for starters... D'morte D'Arthur by Sir, Thomas Mallory?

Ivanhoe Sir, Walter Scott...
Tanglewood tales, Nathaniel Hawthorn.

The Prince, Illiad, etc all should be read..

But go to local library and ask for classics and pick any that take your fancy...

Writing styles have changed over the centuries... so any will teach you new things.

Post: Reply | Quote

"To Kill a Mockingbird", my favorite book of all time.

A naked American man stole my balloons...

Post: Reply | Quote

I have to agree with Steve (oh no what am I saying). Just go to the library and borrow almost anything. The writing styles have changed considerably over the last few centuries, so you will really notice the changes in style, pacing etc. Also they were published differently back then - Dickens (I think) wrote many of his to be published as a weekly instalment.

Regardless of what you think of them they will all teach you something - even if only that you dislike that style.

I have read Gone With the Wind (first 1000+ page book I ever read) and it is just a really long romance story.
Last of the Mohicans was really hard to read because of the writing style, so is Mort D'Arthur, Ivanhoe etc.
Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre by the Bronte's and the other nineteenth century novels tend to be very slow paced but are also very evocative in parts. Dickens is, well Dickens, and any of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Oliver twist, Bleak House etc will give you a good understanding of his style and at least one should be read for that reason alone. Try at least one Alexander Dumas - The Count of Monte Christo, The Three Musketeers etc. Ernest Hemingway should also be tried - To Have and Have Not, For Whom the Bell Tolls.

In the main though I would stick to the more modern ones. Although true quality always stands the test of time the more recent ones better reflect the modern day readers preferences.

Having said that I really disliked a lot of the modern day classics - The Grapes of Wrath,Catcher in the Rye were both painstaking reads for me.

Post: Reply | Quote

I wasn't going to buy into this one, because I tend to think that Classics are pretty much like any other book...you either like a book or you don't...and just because I like a book doesn't mean that the next person will.

And that assumes you can decide on a definition of Classic anyway. Is it a Classic just because it's old? Is it a Classic just because your teacher said it was, and forced you to read it at school.

The reason I am commenting, is because Big Hills brought up Dickens without mentioning "A Tale of Two Cities". I have no idea why I love this story, (I've never particularly enjoyed reading any other Dickens,) but, even though it's been ages since I last read it, I reckon I could have a good stab at quoting the first and last paragraphs from memory.

The whole "best of times, worst of times" and "far, far better thing" deal, (and all that goes in between,) just appeals to ME. Which is the point I guess I'm trying to make. (And if I'm not careful I'll trip over it some time soon.)

A Classic is just another book, and times and styles move on. If you don't like one, so be it. For all you know, you may be right...there are a lot of Classics that frankly just aren't worth the time it takes to read them.

Be gentle with me...I'm old.

Adios
Rockin' and in The Land of Oz

Post: Reply | Quote

Old enough to be a classic, DN??

">

..............................
"the universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference - Richard Dawkins
Asteroid B-612

Edited by: LisaHy at: 8/28/02 5:43:22 pm

Post: Reply | Quote

Lisa, I think Classics have to actually be written to qualify. I'm more like your basic cave drawing or a rune hammered into Stonehenge.

But who knows, they were probably considered Classics in their time...so in that sense, mabey I do qualify after all.

Adios
Rockin' and in The Land of Oz

"Be cool...and it'll be cool."
Very Old Celtic Proverb

Post: Reply | Quote

I love Tale of two Cities too... but then again I like Dickens..as a social commentator of his time, his is the best.

Post: Reply | Quote

Blue Butt

I love Shakespeare and read and red him all the time... we use so many of his phrases in our everyday language.. most people don't know about them.

I hear people say they don't like willie boy... then out of their mouth's they quote him hehe... his rich understanding of lanuguage is wonderful and they way he expresses emotion, tension etc... is wondrous....

Other stuff... not Shakespeare

The Faerie Queen
Call of the Wild
The Scarlet Letter
Great Gatsby
Tom Sawyer
Jane Eyre
Emma
Three Musketeers
Piers plowman
The pearl
The Crucible.

The list goes on and on....

Post: Reply | Quote

I enjoyed "Grapes of Wrath" and "Catcher in the Rye". Also by Steinbeck (the grapes of wrath book) is "East of Eden".

And I agree, "Last of the Mohicans" is tough to read with the sort of old english writing style.

Anyone read any Shakespeare? I had to read "Romeo and Juliet" in 9th grade and it was almost like taking another language. Once we got a ways into the story I really started to enjoy interpreting the use of language.

A naked American man stole my balloons...