Bittercon: classics and crap

[sartorias]

starshipcat explores the har-dee-har-har "Let's type up a classic, put another name on, and see if this crap would sell/how ignorant those editors are"--and the notion of classics in science fiction, here.

This brings up such a good question: just what is a classic? (Other than the "classic means the works of Ancient Greece and Rome

Comments

[handworn]

Ditto, especially on the "rewards rereading" part.

[sartorias]

Oh, interesting point--yes, the greats do that effect, don't they? (And so do the ones not so great but popular at the time.) But that does seem to be part of the greatness, eh?

[pxcampbell]

For me, a classic is a work that endures (has or will) because the underlying story continues to resonate, to touch our heartstrings, or reveal Human truths.

Which is to say, one person's classic is another person's over-written bit of tripe.

IMHO, the only reason that some of the things from ancient Greece and Rome are considered classics is because they are the ones that happened to survive the purges of thought police through the ages. So, they are classic in the "historically memorable" sense of the word, more than the "high quality or rank" sense.

As I think about it -- what makes a classic for me -- rewards rereading. Yep. I like that definition.

[sartorias]

Yes...slippery slopes here.

[burger_eater]

Classic: A book I feel I ought to read because it is remembered fondly.

[sartorias]

That to me suggests a favorite comfort read instead of a classic.

[khiemtran]

For me, the definition of a classic would be something that preserves and transmits some aspect of the art, usually in its highest form. A perfect example, if you like.

[sartorias]

What is a perfect book? Is there one? Maybe I should ask, is there a perfect book in anyone's individual view?

[khiemtran]

No, not a perfect book, but a perfect (or near perfect example) of some aspect of one. Something that could be used to teach or reconstruct that aspect of the art.

[sartorias]

I see! That opens up a whole new prospect of faboo discussion...though for me not right now, as that blasted headache has turned into a skull-thrumming flue, argh, argh.