OnlineBookClub.org

Classic books have not died out but rather they keep
reinventing themselves tiime and again.

One should disregard them for being 100 years old but
rather one should appreciate them for their longevity.

Lazola Pambo

I just re-read The Great Gatsby and found it interesting that the book didn't sell well when it was first published. Only 20 years later, when 150,000 unsold copies were given away the book became popular. I wonder how many more great books remain unknown to the reader.

Lazola, you likely meant one should NOT disregard them. If so I heartily agree.

I'll put in a good word for Milton. I've read Paradise Lost and part of Paradise Regained. The trilogy completes itself with Samson Agonistes.

iflowers - I think fame has come to quite a few authors after they have passed away. For example, Jane Austen and a lot of the gothic fiction novellists. Writing didn't have that much weight unless it was political or scientific.

I like that thought of the books being reinvented time and time again as new readers read classic works

The classics are also continually reworked on the screen too, again showing their longevity. Be this a straight representation or a reworking of the plot into a different context.

Even when the production isn't as good as the book it still frequently propels the book back into the reading limelight and charts.

I think for those that were compelled to read classics in school, it's a great idea to ho back and reread them as an adult. Its surprising how your views and understanding will have changed as you mature.

I think classics should not be seen by children and teenagers just as homework. Charles Dickens is my favourite author and has been since I was 11, every time I re-read one of his books I find something new. And the best thing about Classics is that you can always relate to them, even though they were written ages ago.

And so many are available for download, at absolutely no cost!
So there's no excuse not to read them anymore.

I agree Mom2Grey, I just went through, having decided to make a reading list of Classics and downloaded all the ones that I wanted, mostly from Amazon, for Free! It leaves absolutely no reason now not to read them. There is a lot to be learned from these books.

Most people discard classics, thinking of them as boring and out of date but most of them are the best stories ever and will keep you hooked as any high paced mystery thriller.

The best example of this, of course, is Shakespeare. Hamlet has reinvented itself every century with absolutely no trouble.

I like a good classic book that can be used as a comparison of how times have changed and a reflection on how our society is today.

Jane Austen's books are showing some of the same flexibility long associated with Shakespeare's work - both authors have had reworked, re-imagined retellings of their stories over the past few years. As with the originals, the new versions have their fans and their detractors - which is what keeps it interesting.

Classic books for me are the best you can ever read.