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how old is a classic?
- Vanessa
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: The Farm at the Edge of the World by Sarah Vaughan
- Interest in HF: The first historical novel I read was Katherine by Anya Seton and this sparked off my interest in this genre.
- Favourite HF book: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell!
- Preferred HF: Any
- Location: North Yorkshire, UK
I suppose a good definition of a modern classic would be a book which stands the test of time.
currently reading: My Books on Goodreads
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
- Prof.Hirata
- Scribbler
- Posts: 15
- Joined: October 2013
[quote=""Kveto from Prague""]People might consider a Steven King novel a modern classic but I doubt King will be more than a footnote 50 years from now. The same with the Harry Potter books. Any other ideas?[/quote]
My idea, in contrast to yours, Kveto, is that both S.King and J.K.Rowling will remain classics, but... in their genres! Take Conan Doyle, who is definitely a classic, but he can't be compared to, say, Galsworthy, they are from different domains. "The Chronicles of Narnia" - a classical fairy/fantasy, has nothing to do with Richard Aldington or E.Hemingway. And here the good principle of "impact" within the genre goes in force, in my opinion.
My idea, in contrast to yours, Kveto, is that both S.King and J.K.Rowling will remain classics, but... in their genres! Take Conan Doyle, who is definitely a classic, but he can't be compared to, say, Galsworthy, they are from different domains. "The Chronicles of Narnia" - a classical fairy/fantasy, has nothing to do with Richard Aldington or E.Hemingway. And here the good principle of "impact" within the genre goes in force, in my opinion.
Last edited by Prof.Hirata on Fri January 31st, 2014, 9:38 am, edited 2 times in total.