I have always loved reading the classics. First of all, if they've survived this long, that's generally because they're so powerful that they resonate throughout the ages. I appreciate a good book! Second, I enjoy learning about history. Reading books that were written in a certain historical period is a fantastic way to help me learn about that time period. Third, I enjoy picking up on allusions to classics in popular culture (and other books). It is fascinating how certain ideas stay with us forever...how some of them morph with time and become new ideas. I enjoy following this process because it helps me understand what is important to us psychologically.
Update: So far, I have read and reviewed 3 of 50 on my classics club list.
For those of you who are not members of the classics club (and therefore don't have your own blog post on the topic) please feel free to answer this month's question in my comments! :)
For those of you who are not members of the classics club (and therefore don't have your own blog post on the topic) please feel free to answer this month's question in my comments! :)
One thing about classics is they always suitable for today's life. Old-fashioned but never out of date.
ReplyDeleteI love reading the classics for all those reasons, too. :) I looked at your list and I see we'll be reading quite a few of the same books. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by bacaanbzee and joon*ann!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with a little old-fashioned bacaanbzee! ;)
Joon*ann: I'll watch for your reviews. It's always fun to see what other people think of the books I've just finished. :)
I am glad to notice that we have a few books in common on our lists. Things Fall Apart is a fine book, but I won't spoil your fun. I also love this historic content/context of the Classics. I look forward to reading your reviews and thanks for coming by my blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Reading Pleasure! Actually, I've already read Things Fall Apart...I wanted to reread it in conjunction with the other two in the trilogy. My Dad gave me a Norton Critical Edition of it a while back, so I thought now would be a good time. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your reasons for reading the classics, Rachel :) I don't think we can do without them, because we would be missing out on a large part of our history.
ReplyDeleteChinoiseries: Definitely. What we've written in the past very strongly affects how we respond to books today. :)
ReplyDeleteSurvival - yes, that's why I love them as well. A few weeks ago, I was thinking about this, and I looked at Great Expectations and what has happened since it's publication. Six monarchs, twenty nine prime ministers, at least fifty six wars, and Lord knows how many authors and books published since. And people still read it, it still has something to say.
ReplyDeleteHi O! I agree, when a book is still meaningful after so much has changed, the author did something very, very right. :)
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