Classics Club Monthly Meme: Preferred Classics

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I haven't done the Classics Club's monthly memes in a long time; usually I can't think of much to say that wouldn't sound utterly trite and vapid, so I leave it to people like Lory and Cleo, who can think of insightful things to say.  This one, though, I can get behind!  The question is:

What Kinds of Classic Books Do You Prefer?
Last month’s discussion about what a classic book was very interesting and provoked a lot of response, I thought, so I figured I would suggest another topic, this one much more subjective.
When you read classic literature, what’s your preference, or will you read anything? Do you prefer the “literary” authors, like Dickens, Hugo, Austen, Eliot, or Thackeray, or do you like swashbuckling adventures, historical fiction , science fiction, mysteries, children’s literature? Or do you prefer nonfiction? Are you interested in reading books from many different parts of the world, or are you more interested in books from a particular area of the world?

And who are your favorite authors in those genres?

What types of classic books do you prefer, and who are your favorite authors?
 Quite an all-encompassing question, then!

I will read most things.  I'm not a huge Dickens fan, I'm terrified to read Hugo but plan to do it someday, and of course I love Austen.  I enjoy most English literature except the long-winded Georgians (and I'm pretty weak on poetry in general).  Of the Victorians, I think I like Trollope best, and I don't really care for on the Bloomsbury set or ultra-moderns.  French literature scares me the most, though I have learned to like Dumas some.  Russian literature is indeed kind of intimidating but I want to read a lot of it and usually like it.  And I'm very fond of medieval literature, except the Romance of the Rose.

I like several genres -- adventure, SF/F, mysteries, and children's literature, I love all of those.  I've never been much on historical fiction as a genre, but obviously Rosemary Sutcliff is amazing.

I like non-fiction a lot too, so I'm more than willing to read classic non-fiction.  For example, our current readalong of Frazer's Golden Bough!  (Look for my post on Monday on the first 6 chapters!)

And lastly, I am indeed interested in reading books from many different parts of the world.  I do have a few favorite areas, but pretty much anytime I hear about a classic of any country's literature, I am tempted to read it.  In fact, I have my long-term ongoing project, Reading All Around the World, and just hit country #59 (which was Turkmenistan).  I really am hoping to read something from every country, although it might not be possible to get every single tiny island nation.  I can try!

Hilarious image by Susanne Jutzeler, from Pixabay

Comments

  1. Ruth @ with freedom and booksMay 15, 2020 at 8:15 AM

    I'm hot and cold w/ Dickens, too, and I haven't read any Hugo, yet, either. Is that the problem w/ the Georgians? I think I know why I struggle w/ them now. Ditto on the Medieval lit and Rosemary Sutcliff. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. reeseMay 15, 2020 at 6:59 PM

    Yikes! I pulled my Golden Bough off the shelf but haven't even started. It's sitting there next to my reading chair...entirely unread...

    Looking forward to your post, though!

    Hmm. Long-winded Georgians... I've never managed an entire Richardson. But I'm afraid I adore Fielding.

    ReplyDelete
  3. KeelyMay 15, 2020 at 7:29 PM

    I'm not a big fan of Dickens either and Hugo also terrifies me. Took inspiration from you and posted my answers too. Interesting to think about my favourite "genres" as it has never really crossed my mind before. I just know what I like...

    ReplyDelete
  4. JeanMay 15, 2020 at 9:34 PM

    Oh, I forgot about Fielding! Fielding is a lot of fun, I will officially exempt him. I remember Tom Jones with great fondness.

    Oh good, I'm not the only person who has never read Les Miserables! I hope.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen K.May 16, 2020 at 9:08 AM

    I used to love Dickens but now I find him problematic (though I will defend Bleak House until the day I die). I'm right with you about Trollope, he rarely disappoints. I'm starting to explore more Victorian authors and I'm really enjoying the Victorian sensations, especially Wilkie Collins and M. E. Braddon. I haven't tackled the Georgians yet.

    And I really love early to mid-20th century fiction, especially women authors -- I'm not very interested in the hyper-masculine stuff like Hemingway.

    This is turning into a long response, I guess I need to write my own blog post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jenny @ Reading the EndMay 17, 2020 at 3:38 PM

    I always want to like Dickens, but so far I really haven't, apart from Christmas Carol. My mum always says David Copperfield is the one to read so maybe one day I will get back to it. I admit that I have sort of lost my energy for reading classics! I respect it so much when other people do it, but I have a hard time talking myself into it.

    ReplyDelete

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