Does anyone read classical literature any more?

[Sameeha Ismail]

I enjoy Classics, mostly because they have slower phasing. Contemporary books are rushed and exhilarating. So when I need a leisurely read, classics are the go-to. My favorite Classic novel with languid phasing is 'Anne of Green Gables.'

[G Duda]

Yeah, plenty of people read classics. You only need to look at the popularity of things like Dracula Daily to see how popular classics still are. Recently, I myself finished reading Dracula, I am finishing reading Les Mis, I am in the process of reading Dante's Inferno, I'm subscribed to an email list for the book Kidnapped by R. L Stevenson, & I've also recently read To the Lighthouse & The Handmaid's Tale.
And speaking of my favourite classic authors, that's gotta be a tie between R.L Stevenson, Oscar Wilde, & Arthur Conan Doyle. Sorry, victor Hugo, you're out.

[Runan]

I read them rarely these days. I have always enjoyed Charles Dickens and Mark Twain's books and I read philosophy books that are pure classics. Immanuel Kant's books are my personal favourite. These days, I'm reading a lot of Eastern Philosophy.

[mary mcvicker]

I love classic literature, and my favourite author would have to be Dickens - I love his quirky characters and his very atmospheric descriptions of London! Great Expectations is my all-time favourite.

As for Thomas Hardy, I read The Mayor of Casterbridge over lockdown, but I was so devastated by the ending thatI haven't dared to read his other books yet - lol!

[João Ramos]

Undoubtedly. I try to read all the classics from the past. When I’m at the gym, I usually listen to audiobooks of classical work I’ve read. I’m currently re-listening to The Odyssey.

[Aroona Kashif]

Yes, I love to read classical literature. It’s a nice step away from the modern world and it’s really fun.

[Dana Lawrence Lohn]

Undoubtedly. I try to read all the classics from the past. When I’m at the gym, I usually listen to audiobooks of classical work I’ve read. I’m currently re-listening to The Odyssey.

I'm also listening to the Odyssey now, having first read it as a freshman in college in 1998 (and having been massively challenged by it at the time ... I read it simultaneously with Dante's Inferno ... it was an intense ride!). I try so hard to shift my bookshelf toward the classics and pick up all the benefits of these works that have stood up to the test of time. It's hard, in a world where Kindle can so capably deliver me contemporary and historical romance and other genres that are the candy of my reading. Each year I refresh my effort with this by pulling back out the 100 Greatest list around New Years Eve and picking a new target for the year on it. 2024's classic literature book goal for me is Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

[Julia Begeman]

I've read some of the classics and I love when they still hold up today. The Secret Garden was one of my favorites, and I enjoyed Little Women and A Tale of Two Cities. Other times, some of the classics seem like they are only known because they were popular in their time and not because of high quality writing.