Classics

President Camacho · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: Classics

I know that to generate mass appeal the best sellers are probably the best books to have on the fiction reading list.

I enjoy reading fiction but I like to limit myself to "classics". The best sellers from back in the day Wink

I know that opening up another book of the month will probably cause the science fiction people to think up theirs, and the romance people to dream of theirs, which will make the mystery people wonder why they don't have their own, and may finally cause the horror people to scream.

But I think that opening up another book of the month for older classics serves this community in a beneficial way.

First, the classics would encompass all those genres.

Second, there won't be any requests for classical fiction books in the normal book of the month thread anymore. This will help best-sellers achieve book of the month status and will net more newcomers to BT.

Third, new and popular books will be offered and displayed on the BT home page which will peak the interest of passers by, again netting more members.

Fourth, those who want intellectual stimuli from their books can vote for the 'classical' book of the month and those who wish for a great read and general mind numbing enjoyment can choose the new popular fiction book of the month.

Fifth, by separating the new books from the old books, it opens up a greater possibility of author involvement per month. For example, a dead author wouldn't be as involved with BT as say one that was still alive. Laughing

The name doesn't have to be 'classics' or all about old literature but rather a place where intellectual works of fiction or 'boring' works or unpopular works or even re-discussed books can be read and reviewed.

I think this might be a good idea.

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Ophelia · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject:

Hello Mr President,

Thanks again for your suggestions, I find all the suggestions we receive to be thought-provoking.

First, about the fiction forum in general: Chris is going to change one important point in the organization, so this should be coming up soon and answer some of the questions you asked in your post.

For the moment I don't think we are ready to share novels between classics and contemporary in a firm way, as we are separating fiction from non fiction.

But anything possible if a new idea catches other members' attention.

As you know, we discussed Conrad's Heart of Darkness, and it was a very enriching experience.
I have also suggested some twentieth century classics in the current "Suggestions and polls", and "Vanity Fair" is a 19thC English classic.

Which classics would you like to read and introduce to us?

How about "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins ?

Or The Steppenwolf, by Herman Hesse?

Or Lolita by Nabokov (1955). Is this a classic for you?
Two new members have mentioned it recently.

The most difficult thing is always to find a book a few people can agree on.

"So, which classics would you like to suggest?The name doesn't have to be 'classics' or all about old literature but rather a place where intellectual works of fiction or 'boring' works or unpopular works or even re-discussed books can be read and reviewed".

the use of the word "intellectual" book of fiction is not the best. If we choose a contemporary novel, it will be quality book which will make discussion possible.

You mention "rediscussed books" I have seen books that have already been discussed in the non-fiction forum that I'd like to discuss--- three of them. So again, if we could agree on something there's no reason read it at BT.

President Camacho · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

oooooh, I don't have any specific titles to suggest.... I don't read much fiction. When I do read it though, and this might sound horrible, I read what others deem ground-breaking works of literature. I like to read firsts, as in the first author to write a novel in a specific country, or novels that pushed society to change, or other works that caused other significant events to occur.

I don't like to read a novel to cry, or become hopeful, or smile, ....

I read a novel to say I've read it. If I enjoy it... thank god.

Horrible right? Laughing

But that is the truth of me concerning novels.

Ophelia · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject:

So among those novels you read... let's say for your general culture, and among those you read in school, are there none that you liked?

President Camacho · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

I don't remember anything that I read in school. I didn't read any fiction for class or on my free time. I slept through most of my classes because of sports and then senior year they tried to kick me out of school. I was put in a class for slow learners - it was the last step before getting the boot. I didn't cause any problems... I just didn't want to be there.

Now, though, I like to read and I have years of catching up to do. When I first started reading, I read action novels. It started when I crashed my motorcycle and tore up my leg pretty bad. I was hospitalized for a couple days and then sent home with some pieces of my ass sewn on to my leg.

My Mom gave me Sho-Gun by Clavell. Great book. So after that I read Tai-Pan, and continued reading Clavell.

That was almost 10 years ago. My tastes have changed since then. The last fiction I read was Dead Souls by Gogol and the one before that was Weiland by Charles Brockden Brown.

I'm pretty stubborn so I'll stick with the classics for a while.

Ophelia · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject:

So what is next on your list of classics?

President Camacho · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

no idea


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