ChatterBank1 min ago
Reading The Classics
22 Answers
How many of you have actually read the classic books?
for example Jane Austin novels or Moby Dick, of mice and men, catcher in the rye, to kill a mockingbird etc
do people say they have in order to appear smart?
for example Jane Austin novels or Moby Dick, of mice and men, catcher in the rye, to kill a mockingbird etc
do people say they have in order to appear smart?
Answers
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I first read Mockingbird when I was much younger and it made a huge impression on me. Can't think of a better set book for schools, although I am sure it is already.
All of Steinbeck's work worth reading. We read The Grapes of Wrath at school in the 1960's ( as well as The Searchers, and The Day of the Triffids ! )
I have tried Catcher in the Rye but have never been able to get past the first few pages. When I told my American friends that years ago, they were scandalised ! I will continue to keep trying though.
I suppose you would include Brideshead Revisited in the classic book selection and it is a firm favourite of mine, which I re-read every few year.
Can I suggest another series of books for the "important to read" category ?
The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott...can't praise it highly enough. Don't forget Staying On, the sequel that won the Booker Prize in 1977, just before his death in 1978.
All of Steinbeck's work worth reading. We read The Grapes of Wrath at school in the 1960's ( as well as The Searchers, and The Day of the Triffids ! )
I have tried Catcher in the Rye but have never been able to get past the first few pages. When I told my American friends that years ago, they were scandalised ! I will continue to keep trying though.
I suppose you would include Brideshead Revisited in the classic book selection and it is a firm favourite of mine, which I re-read every few year.
Can I suggest another series of books for the "important to read" category ?
The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott...can't praise it highly enough. Don't forget Staying On, the sequel that won the Booker Prize in 1977, just before his death in 1978.
A lot of the "classics" are off putting because of when they are set.
It's hard to relate to the characters.
When we read a book, or watch a movie, we subconsciously imagine ourselves being ... Lara Croft, or Bridget Jones, or whatever.
It's hard to do that when the characters live in a completely different time.
It's hard to relate to the characters.
When we read a book, or watch a movie, we subconsciously imagine ourselves being ... Lara Croft, or Bridget Jones, or whatever.
It's hard to do that when the characters live in a completely different time.
Well, JJ ...that would probably account for all these books being best sellers, even years after publication !
Moby Dick isn't terribly easy but there is nothing remotely difficult with the Steinbecks or Mockingbird.
Not sure if any books containing Lara Croft are going to get into any Classic Book selection. But, horses for course I suppose. Some people like easy books and some people want a bit more of a challenge.
Moby Dick isn't terribly easy but there is nothing remotely difficult with the Steinbecks or Mockingbird.
Not sure if any books containing Lara Croft are going to get into any Classic Book selection. But, horses for course I suppose. Some people like easy books and some people want a bit more of a challenge.
I've read loads of them. Most of dickens, quite a bit of Shakespeare, lots of jane Austen, catcher in the rye, to kill a mockingbird, Of mice and men, quite a few Elizabeth Gaskell, The Grapes of wrath, love Jane Eyre, I've read Les Miserables and hated it so much I never wanted to see the stage show, hated Crime and punishment. Some I loved, some not so much.
