Overrated classics

[ERCougar]

Some have already mentioned The Great Gatsby (which I actually liked), but what others?

This thread inspired by my having just passed the 50% mark in my kindle version of Brothers Karamazov (and still having 400+ real pages left). For the life of me, I can't figure out how this book has made so many 'read before you die' lists. Someone inspire me to finish this? There are a lot of books I've put on the back burner to read this.

[Harry Tic]

Some have already mentioned The Great Gatsby (which I actually liked), but what others?

This thread inspired by my having just passed the 50% mark in my kindle version of Brothers Karamazov (and still having 400+ real pages left). For the life of me, I can't figure out how this book has made so many 'read before you die' lists. Someone inspire me to finish this? There are a lot of books I've put on the back burner to read this.

I got through Brothers Karamosov and enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as Crime and Punishment. I've read that one several times. I'm on a Dostoevsky kick right now and just started reading The Gambler.

I slogged though the unabridged version of Les Miserables a year or two ago. The story is fantastic, but those hundred-page digressions just about did me in. Only sheer determination got me through it. I liked it and all, but geez, where the hell were the editors back then?

[Donuthole]

I slogged though the unabridged version of Les Miserables a year or two ago. The story is fantastic, but those hundred-page digressions just about did me in. Only sheer determination got me through it. I liked it and all, but geez, where the hell were the editors back then?

I've been working on this for almost a year now. I had to take a break for a while, and now I go back to it for a hundred pages or so before taking another break to read something else.

[woot]

I love Tolstoy, but I never did finish War and Peace. No matter how excellent the writing is, when you've got like 900+ characters and they all have the same Russian names, it's hard to keep caring. My love of Tolstoy is based almost entirely on his short story catalog. The prose is great, but give him an opportunity and he makes things way too complicated. That book is like an epic fantasy series crammed into a single volume, with all of the characters kept in but most of the plot cut out.

I binged on a bunch of the classics for a few months in 2008. I found most of them pretty worthwhile.

And Lolita is still my favorite novel ever. Sometimes, the prose is so ecstatic that it doesn't matter what the subject matter is.

[CJF]

I've been working on this for almost a year now. I had to take a break for a while, and now I go back to it for a hundred pages or so before taking another break to read something else.

I'm doing the same thing. Love the story, but it's tough just to plow through.

[Harry Tic]

I love Tolstoy, but I never did finish War and Peace. No matter how excellent the writing is, when you've got like 900+ characters and they all have the same Russian names, it's hard to keep caring. My love of Tolstoy is based almost entirely on his short story catalog. The prose is great, but give him an opportunity and he makes things way too complicated. That book is like an epic fantasy series crammed into a single volume, with all of the characters kept in but most of the plot cut out.

I binged on a bunch of the classics for a few months in 2008. I found most of them pretty worthwhile.

And Lolita is still my favorite novel ever. Sometimes, the prose is so ecstatic that it doesn't matter what the subject matter is.

Nabokov is an amazing stylist. Which reminds me, you've got to read this article about our nearest American equivalent. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/1...Dan-Brown.html (stick with it for at least a couple of paragraphs and you'll see what he's on about...)

[Pelado]

I've been working on this for almost a year now. I had to take a break for a while, and now I go back to it for a hundred pages or so before taking another break to read something else.

It took me a year to read it. I generally recommend an abridged version to those considering reading it.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I am reading Ben Hur right now. Let me get back to you on that one.

[Indy Coug]

Ulysses. 'Nuff said.

[woot]

Nabokov is an amazing stylist. Which reminds me, you've got to read this article about our nearest American equivalent. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/1...Dan-Brown.html (stick with it for at least a couple of paragraphs and you'll see what he's on about...)

Oh man that's awesome. I admit to having read his big 3 books. The last one was wearing really thin because the formula was just too apparent, but overall I must say I enjoyed them. The writing is pretty terrible (as this editorial demonstrates nicely), but I don't often have the motivation to read fiction anymore and he manages to include a cliff-hanger at the end of most every chapter. I imagine that'd be good for me. I might pick it up sometime.

I think Dan Brown criticism should be on par with the folks who write shows like CSI or Bones or NCIS, since he basically writes the same stuff. It seems like his criticism is more on par with reality show people. I agree it sucks when crap makes a bunch of money, but... CSI and Bones, man.

[BigPiney]

I started Ulysses by James Joyce last week. I made it through the first 3 episodes or chapters. I think I am done. He just rambles on. Must have been paid by the word, as was the case with these serialized novels.

[ERCougar]

It took me a year to read it. I generally recommend an abridged version to those considering reading it.

I think creekster told someone on here they had to read the full version. Yes, you totally should, if you're a fan of obscure French military history; otherwise, it strikes me as particularly bad advice. I meant to ask him about that, but forgot about it. Creek?

Even though Les Miserables is long, the story is fantastic, the characters sympathetic and even a little believable, the writing beautiful, and Hugo's asides are still packed with interesting philosophical ideas. Dostoyevsky, OTOH, has no particularly interesting or new ideas, his characters are completely wacko (when they're not stereotypical), and the story is boring. And the writing is choppy and awkward. I thought this might be a translation problem, but I'm reading the translation that everyone recommends. I'm trying to like this book--I really am. But meh. SU? Did you really like this book, or was it the NYT book review? Be honest.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think creekster told someone on here they had to read the full version. Yes, you totally should, if you're a fan of obscure French military history; otherwise, it strikes me as particularly bad advice. I meant to ask him about that, but forgot about it. Creek?

I read the abridged version. They skipped the 200 pages describing the battles. It was great.

Even though Les Miserables is long, the story is fantastic, the characters sympathetic and even a little believable, the writing beautiful, and Hugo's asides are still packed with interesting philosophical ideas. Dostoyevsky, OTOH, has no particularly interesting or new ideas, his characters are completely wacko (when they're not stereotypical), and the story is boring. And the writing is choppy and awkward. I thought this might be a translation problem, but I'm reading the translation that everyone recommends. I'm trying to like this book--I really am. But meh. SU? Did you really like this book, or was it the NYT book review? Be honest.

I couldn't finish Crime and Punishment. Join the club.

[Applejack]

Don Quixote. Sorry Wuap, I'm just being honest.

[SteelBlue]

Ulysses. 'Nuff said.

I'm slogging through it right now. So far I hate it, and I'm about to tap out.