Classics Club Memes
August 2012 - What is your favourite classic book? Why?
I don't have one stand-out, all-time favourite classic book but there is one that is very meaningful to me in my reading journey. In school we didn't really read the classics, at least not the ones you hear everyone else saying they read in school (The Great Gatsby, To Kill A Mockingbird, anything by Austen or Dickens, etc.) We mostly read Canadian literature (which has some great classics itself.) 1984 by George Orwell was the first classic that I sought out myself to read when I was about 16. I was amazed at how the novel stood the test of time, how it didn't feel like an "old" book. It was the first time I understood why books are called classics and it made me want to seek out more of them. I recently re-read it and I love how different it was for me than it was when I was 16.
September 2012 - Pick a classic someone else in the club has read. Link to their review and offer a quote from their post describing their reaction to the book. What about their post makes you excited to read that classic in particular?
The Story Girl's review of Les Miserables
I've been wanting to read Les Miserables for a long time. Back in my younger skating days, I was in an on ice version of it and I came to know the story that way. But of course, it being a long book, I was a bit put off. But then I read The Story Girl's review of it and it was a well-written review that definitely got my interest piqued and this quote has me wanting to read the book
Les Miserables is a masterpiece, and I don't really feel up to the task of finding appropriate words to truly express that. I think anyone who takes the time and effort to read it will be duly rewarded.
When words can't express how great the book is, you know you have to read it for yourself.
October 2012 - Why are you reading the classics?
Think about how many books that are released each month, every month, every year. That's a lot of books out there. Now think about how many are considered classics. A very small percent. Which means that those books have to be fantastic. And who would want to miss out on that?
November 2012 - What classic piece of literature most intimidates you, and why?
For a long time I was intimidated by most classics. Now that I've dipped my toe in the water, I've realized there is nothing to be afraid of (in fairness, I had to read a lot of political classics in university and there books like Thucydides' The History of The Peloponnesian War really threw me off.) Now, I'm just intimidated by the chunksters. It's just that when I think about the time that I have to devote to them, I get a little put off. I'll let you know if I still feel that way after I finish The Count of Monte Cristo.
Oh yes, Les miserables is a wonderful story. I read it one year ago and I loved it. The only bad is that there are too many pages talking about politics or wars, or just things not related with the plot, that make it too slow.
ReplyDeleteBut it's a great book with remarkable characters!
I've heard that about the politics. I was a history major in university so hopefully I'll actually find that stuff enjoyable!
DeleteI suppose so, in that case! :)
DeleteI agree - with so many great classics waiting to be read length is what I find most daunting. Les Mis is on my list too....one day!
ReplyDeleteI find myself choosing the short ones to read first, I need to get myself out of that head space and start tackling the chunksters.
DeleteI read so many books at one time that it doesn't bother me to read the really long ones. I'm always close to finishing one book or another, so the "lack of progress" feeling that I might have if I only read one book at a time, and that one book was long isn't an issue for me. :)
ReplyDeleteMy November Meme is here