What Makes a Book a Classic?

[BJ Davis]

Why do a few books become classics? Why do we recommend them to our friends and read them over and over? What are the elements that make them live forever in our hearts? Which are your favorites? Which authors do you feel will fall into this category in the future?

[Sheila DeChantal]

This is a good topic! My Book Group reads a classic a year and for the most part they are difficult to get through, but a lot of fun to review in modern day terms (like I am pretty sure that Cathryn in Wuthering Heights was bipolar! She was either really happy, or really down!)

I would be curious to know what people think are the new classics... tyhe books of our generation that will be the "classics" of the future.

Journey through a world of books

[BJ Davis]

I agree that early writers were, for the most part, a bit long-winded. Sometimes, they take what seems to be forever, to set the story up, but by the middle of the book it's usually a great read, and when I'm finished I feel like I have said goodbye to dear friends. Personally, I think the elements that make a book classic are these: it's one that you know you'll read over and over; one that leaves an impression that keeps coming back for years; one with well-developed, strong characters; one that remains relevant. Books like Jane Eyre, Hester, Madame Bovary, and Anges Grey (to name just a few) were not only love stories, but dealt heavily with the issue of Women's Rights and the plight of women. In fact, those issues were the primary subjects, disguised as romantic novels.

What do others think? What makes a classic?

[MJMBECKY]

From what I know...which is little...usually, a "classic" is one that is representative of a genre, time period, or movement. Not all books are readily accepted as a classic because they lack elements that highlight these important elements. Sigh. There's the pat answer! :)

We have so many great, contemporary novels coming out that are representative of a culture, movement, etc., that it's hard to keep up with them. I struggle with the denseness of his novels, but Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwan both fall into this category. For me, the older classics that I love the most, were the ones with a character that showed great courage in times of turmoil. For instance, I love Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo, To Kill a Mockingbird, Night, etc. I'll recommend those novels, over and over again. The ones I don't always connect with are the ones that represent a movement of thought, such as Frankenstein, The Awakening, Turn of the Screw, etc. I know...they also represented characters overcoming challenges, but they were so heavy-handed w/ themes outside of the story and character, that I sometimes felt choked by them.

Whew. I always write more than I want to! I think this is a great topic, and one that is important!

[William Bentrim]

Classic is so subjective. My idea of classic rock is astoundingly different than my 14 year old niece’s idea. To me a classic is a book that I want to reread, that has moved me emotionally and intellectually. I consider Heinlein's "Glory Road" a classic fantasy and for all I know, I am the only person in the world that thinks that. "Stranger in a Strange Land" got a bad rap when Manson claimed to have been influenced by it, but nevertheless I still feel it is a classic in the SciFi genre due to its ability to provoke thought. Of course I have always enjoyed the beat of a different drummer.

[BJ Davis]

I completely agree with what you say, that it has to touch one on an emotional and intellectual level. It is subjective at this point, but eventually will stand the test of time and remain a favorite of generations to come.

[BJ Davis]

I agree that Salman Rushdie will fall into the classic category.

I'd like to add The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Many call her book a modern classic. It is one I loved and would read again and again.

Gone With the Wind is another one that fits.