I understand the desire to prefer books that have stood “the test of time” but I wonder if there’s a real “test”—a book squeaks by a generation + then ppl accept it as a “classic” Do you like the Odyssey because you like it or because you’re told it’s a classic + should like it?
-
Show this thread
-
Replying to @eriktorenberg
How could anyone not like the Odyssey? It covers a huge range of human experiences and archetypes, is rich in detail and history, and has mysticism, war and romance AND is written like poetry. It’s an insane book.
5 replies 1 retweet 39 likes -
Replying to @rivatez
Fair. I meant it as more of a placeholder for any classic book. Sort of an inverse guilty pleasure--if you don't like it/get it you may be shamed, the logic goes.
2 replies 0 retweets 5 likes -
Replying to @eriktorenberg @rivatez
I have a long list of classic books I hated. Sure, they may have good qualities I missed, but anyone pretending to like a book because it's a classic is actively disconnecting themself from their own judgement and development of taste. Which is a nuts thing to do.
3 replies 0 retweets 15 likes
My favourite example is "The Great Gatsby". Which I thought was terrible at 20, and absolutely incredible at 40. Not because of age, but because I'd learned to write.
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.