Thanks! :) All the books I listed have been on my TBR list for ages, so I figured the challenge would be a good way to motivate me. I've heard some great things about Good Omens, so I'm very excited to read it!
Perhaps with priviliged twenty-year-olds vainly attempting to justify their own self-importance she's a hit, but classic to me means the writing has to be good, and few would defend her on that count (and most wouldn't attempt to defend her twisted philosophical views, either).
fitz (thinks Ayn Rand's books make good kindling) Well, they are quite thick, aren't they? :)
I have never read anything by Ayn Rand before, so I can't speak to her philosophy at all. I've wanted to read Atlas Shrugged for a long time, primarily because of the title. I'm including it in this challenge because I have loosely defined a "classic" (in my head) as something one might be required to read in school.
So yes, it might be awful, but I'm willing to give it a shot and keep an open mind.
Granted the book is unquestionably polemical in nature I don't think it's artist value can be so easily dismissed.
The novel is as relevant now as it was then and forces the reader to engage in a philosophical dialogue with the author's beliefs. I doubt anyone would subscribe wholeheartedly to Rand's particular viewpoint but nevertheless the book is a powerful argument. I actually enjoyed the prose and though it is far from perfect (the third act in particular is lack-luster) I am of the opinion that everyone should read it once in their life.
Of course I may just be a privileged twenty something justifying my own self-importance but I feel the need to quote Sean Connery who said: "Why don't you try reading books instead of burning them"
Great choices. I haven't read all of them, but I approve of Stevenson and Dickens. Animal Farm is also a great read. Not the "sit down with hot chocolate and relax" kind of read, but a good one nonetheless.
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I really like your list, especially Good Omens.
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Perhaps with priviliged twenty-year-olds vainly attempting to justify their own self-importance she's a hit, but classic to me means the writing has to be good, and few would defend her on that count (and most wouldn't attempt to defend her twisted philosophical views, either).
fitz (thinks Ayn Rand's books make good kindling)
Reply
Well, they are quite thick, aren't they? :)
I have never read anything by Ayn Rand before, so I can't speak to her philosophy at all. I've wanted to read Atlas Shrugged for a long time, primarily because of the title. I'm including it in this challenge because I have loosely defined a "classic" (in my head) as something one might be required to read in school.
So yes, it might be awful, but I'm willing to give it a shot and keep an open mind.
Reply
Granted the book is unquestionably polemical in nature I don't think it's artist value can be so easily dismissed.
The novel is as relevant now as it was then and forces the reader to engage in a philosophical dialogue with the author's beliefs. I doubt anyone would subscribe wholeheartedly to Rand's particular viewpoint but nevertheless the book is a powerful argument. I actually enjoyed the prose and though it is far from perfect (the third act in particular is lack-luster) I am of the opinion that everyone should read it once in their life.
Of course I may just be a privileged twenty something justifying my own self-importance but I feel the need to quote Sean Connery who said:
"Why don't you try reading books instead of burning them"
Oh I do love me some Sean Connery...
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Totally loving the "Last Crusade" reference. :)
Your defense of the novel has intrigued me. I look forward to reading it and seeing what all the fuss is about for myself!
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