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Timeless Classics
I love classics! But looking the sites I realize that I have still a lot of books to read.I don't agree a lot with Calvino. For me every good book never finishes to say what it has to say; we can read it also ten times and every time we learn something new. A classic is forever, a book that even after centuries touches something deep inside; something that touches all people regardless of the age in which they live.
dely wrote: "I love classics! But looking the sites I realize that I have still a lot of books to read.I don't agree a lot with Calvino. For me every good book never finishes to say what it has to say; we ca..."
Agree Dely. 'A classic is forever', the best definition ever. I am intimidated by the lists too and am reminded that I have read only a meagre number. But these days there are not many takers of classics.
"Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm"
I read Thomas Hardy's "Far From The Madding Crowd" when I was in 9th grade. I had no friends who were into reading that time. This book did a lot to stop me from reading any other book for next four years till I read Dan Brown.When I read it the second time last year, I found out a whole new story. I had to look up a dictionary a lot. But finally I realized the beauty of writing.
... and I hope that is counted under classics ;?
Aditya wrote: "I read Thomas Hardy's "Far From The Madding Crowd" when I was in 9th grade. I had no friends who were into reading that time. This book did a lot to stop me from reading any other book for next fou..."Yes, it is. Also, I think 'Far From the Madding Crowd' has one of the best titles in my opinion.
Mod
The old man and the sea by Earnest Hemingway was the first true Classic I read while in school. This story is one that of exceptional human resilience and struggle. A simple and gruesome tale beautifully told. I will always remember that old book with the crumbled pages that I discovered in some lost corner of the school library. After school I got to read it twice again including even the Manipuri translation. It still surprises me!
Mod
Mod
An I've still not read Robinson Crusoe. Okay, that's next on my read-list.
Just finished "Tale of Two Cities". The language and plot was complicated and too hard to understand if you want to read it like a modern fiction(that's Dicken's speciality). But the story was nice. The desperation of a daughter - love of an aristocrat - anger of the poor class - liberty - equality - fraternity - death - revenge - sacrifice. You can't find all this together bound within any 400 pages. I'd recommend that.
I am just reading "Three men in a boat" by Jerome k Jerome. A coincident. Now that I can safely call as a classic.
Mod
Though it was recommended years ago, when was in 6 / 7 std, I picked the e version just two days ago.. I am picking more classics for my 2012 resolution..
I'm on to "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Duma - the guy who wrote Three Musketeers. The book seems too big - something like a dictionary of 800 pages. I don't know how much time it'll take but the I guess the book is worth reading.
Mod
I think people here are playing safe by naming books which have stood the test of time already. Let's talk about some more recent books and try and judge if these would stand the test of time. Has anybody read the ROOTS by Alex Haley?I found it to be an absolute gem.
I think....little women.....is a wonderful book.....warm and as u said with different personalities.....I guess Jo is most people's favourite.....she is vivacious, has a temper but a kind heart and knows her faults.......Rajat, no harm in naming books that have stood the test of time!..they r classics because they have done precisely that!....
Roots is a lovely book.....I could not bear to read about the slave ship and had to put the book down for a few minutes....
The characters r so strong.....and u understand that a human being can be such a dignified person whatever the circumstances.......
I read later though that he has copied quite a bit from another book....which I have not read....African or some such name....
But I still think it's a great book....and yes, I agree....will become a classic....
Malika wrote: "Anyone read 'Little Women'??This is really a timeless classic. I love Jo and her brilliant spirit and her sisters, all with different personalities and no one has the same taste in anything. I su..."
Anytime! Swear by it. It's like a story that your grandmother told you but only better. Never forgotten and always loved!
Smitha wrote: "I've read it, but it was so gruesome that I was happy when it ended."Oh! I immediately felt for the struggling old man. There were several instances where I had tears in my eyes. Yes it was also like trying to breath inside water as he was exposed to just too much. I can go on and on on this...
Mod
Roots too is a book which I have read and reread, though not as many times as Little women
Malika wrote: "Anyone read 'Little Women'??This is really a timeless classic. I love Jo and her brilliant spirit and her sisters, all with different personalities and no one has the same taste in anything. I su..."
Would it be odd if I claim that I liked Little Women! Who cares, I did like it. Though I was fed up with Laurie towards the end, 'ek sister nahi pati to dusri sahi' and that Mr. Bhaer seems forced.
Malika wrote: "Parikhit wrote: "Malika wrote: "Anyone read 'Little Women'??This is really a timeless classic. I love Jo and her brilliant spirit and her sisters, all with different personalities and no one has ..."
He was nice, agree :) But it felt like Jo couldn't remain unmarried so bring Mr. Bhaer along :D
I am a sucker for girls' stories. I loved the whole Little Women series and I still re-read it[ I know- true confessions etc]. I loved the Anne books and have read all of them. I quite liked the Katy Did series and have not only re-read them but unearthed the little known sequels- Clover etc on project Gutenberg. Loved Emily with a fellow feeling since she's a struggling writer. Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favourites and I did the project G thing for Pollyanna as well. Confirmed girls book-a-holic! P.S. I thought Mr. Bhaer a drip and fell in love with all Georgette Heyer heroes- more dreamy.
Ooh, I love classics. They always satisfy me more than the new books. But I think that's not just because of their literary merit. I love losing myself in the distant old world. Just love losing myself in the old English life and world. I have grown up reading classics, started my career abridging classics, and even now, when things start feeling too cramped up, I just pick up one of my classics collection and take a trip down the past. That feels so much like home :)
Reading Godan by Munshi Premchand. While I am crippled not being able to read it in Hindi, the English translation is equally good for me. There is something earthy and basic about his characters. This is truely a timeless classic.
Rosun, 'Godan' is amazing and you know what, I was just reading 'Idgah' again yesterday and it almost brought tears, again. That man could write. Munshi Premchand- bows!
Ah! Idgah takes me to those days when serials meant doordarshan and this would show up everytime. And yes, it brought tears in my eyes every single time. Such minimalistic and realistic writing.
To Kill A Mocking Bird is my all time classic. Do you like it ?
Alpa wrote: "To Kill A Mocking Bird is my all time classic. Do you like it ?"Love it!
Which works of Oscar Wilde is considered classics? Have read most of them, but end up losing interest in the midst of it all. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Anna sewell's Black Beauty are the other two that I've enjoyed reading them. RKN Malgudi is equally captivating your thoughts and transport you to another world which is quite closer to us..!
has anyone read Emma. I liked Pride and Prejudice, read it long time back and just started with this one on a friends recommendation. I think I can still relate to the character of Elizabeth, but Emmas though a completely different person is amiable!!
Reading Homer's The Iliad. I don't know if this one is a "classic" or a "mythology". I am having a problem following up with the sheer number of characters. However the story telling is just spellbinding. I am so glad I picked it up. Next stop- The Odyssey.
Two of my favorite classics are Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon and The Heir of Redclyffe by Charlotte Mary Yonge.
Is all about gender, social class, etc
Is all about gender, social class, etc
Divya M wrote: "has anyone read Emma. I liked Pride and Prejudice, read it long time back and just started with this one on a friends recommendation. I think I can still relate to the character of Elizabeth, but E..."Yes.
I didn't like it quite as much.
I'm reading The Phantom of the Opera.It's not my regular read;just reading the ebook @spare time in office .But now taht I got to the fifth chapter,it's got really interesting and I think I should pick up the book .
All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque.
Anna Karenina.Accidentally started reading it as i was trying out the Kindle app on my phone.Still reading..
Wuthering heights , sons and lovers by dh Lawrence, madame bovary and ofcourse Dracula by Bram stoker But my fav would be Wuthering heights ..<3 loved the movie as well
Rosun wrote: "Reading Homer's The Iliad. I don't know if this one is a "classic" or a "mythology". I am having a problem following up with the sheer number of characters. However the story telling is just spellb..."Homer is amazing ....
Ritu wrote: "Rosun wrote: "Reading Homer's The Iliad. I don't know if this one is a "classic" or a "mythology". I am having a problem following up with the sheer number of characters. However the story telling ..."Absolutely!
Couldn't agree more.. Homer's Iliad is something on my mind, recently. Especially because I am well aware of Greek Gods and mythology, I would love to read it as a poetry..
Aditya wrote: "I'm on to "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Duma - the guy who wrote Three Musketeers. The book seems too big - something like a dictionary of 800 pages. I don't know how much time it'll tak..."Haven;t read.. but definitely on of the timeless classics. lemme know once u finish. Ur review would mean a lot.
Any one has read George Orwell's 1984 or Animal Farm? kindly share ur thoughts!
Both are satires about the disintegration of communism.Animal Farm is sad;but hilarious.One of my favourite books.
1984,famous for the 'Big Brother is watching you' phrase has a more eerie feel to it.
Indian Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Portrait of a Lady (other topics)Animal Farm (other topics)
1984 (other topics)
Wuthering Heights (other topics)
The Phantom of the Opera (other topics)
More...
Lets begin with the definition of classics(I should mention here the definition is inspired from the group dedicated solely to classic literature). Wikipedia, the biggest source of anything and everything, defines a classic as "a book accepted as being exemplary or noteworthy".
Here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_...
The famous Italian author, Italo Calvino, adds "A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say".
There have been many many debates on what really is a classic. Some go by influential, to some for they were told so, to some for the publishers claim so and to some it is a personal opinion. To me a classic is a timeless work of literature. It will not be absolutely correct to narrow down to the most relevant definition or conjure a list of books qualifying as classics but time and again such lists have appeared. I've listed a couple of links here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
www.cincinnatilibrary.org/booklists/?...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Clas...