23. What Makes a Classic a Classic?
Last weekend, I spent $200 at Barnes and Noble. I know. However! It was mostly birthday gift cards!
I grabbed several classics - Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Great Gatsby. I have Little Women, Great Expectations, and Sherlock Holmes waiting to be read as well. I have a goal to read more classics.
But, as usual, I wondered why. Why are classics classics? What makes a classic? Are there any books from our time that will become a classic?
And this, dear reader, is where I dove down a rabbit hole.
In the simplest form, classics have stood the test of time. They are so good and/or impactful that generations continue to talk about them, read them, and recommend them. This blog from panmacmillan.com includes a list of other characteristics classics have:
Levels of complexity and depth
Universal themes and resolution
Love, death, challenges, grief, morals, etc
That “thing” that makes it memorable
Portray a time so greatly that it symbolizes that time (The Great Gatsby)
The first of it’s kind (Mrs Dalloway)
Inventive and/or influential
The Marginalian discusses Italo Calvino’s Why Read the Classics? and includes some of the following quotes and insights.
The classics are those books about which you usually hear people saying: ‘I’m rereading…’, never ‘I’m reading…’
‘Your’ classic is a book to which you cannot remain indifferent, and which helps you define yourself in relation or even in opposition to it.
These books offer a treasured experience that imprints onto our brains. You learn more as you reread, discuss, and recommend to any reader.
What book do you always think about? Go back to? What has left an imprint on your brain? What book do you constantly recommend and reread?
A classic is a classic because it transcends time and location, and it has the ability to leave an everlasting impression on its readers.
So, with that, what modern book do you think will become a classic? I have a few thoughts:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I know, but it was one of a kind and has certainly left a lasting impression
Something by Kristin Hannah
If you have read her books, which do you think would be the most classic?
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I feel like it sort of already is?
MAYBE A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
I think about this every day, but I would never reread it or necessarily recommend it. Not sure!!
Note: Apologies for the shorter discussion today! I would have loved to go more in depth, especially with my perspective of classics. However, we got a new puppy, so that has been my main focus! Instead, I’d love to discuss with you in the comments.
As always, here is only a taste of all of the books releasing this week. Be sure to check out your local bookstore!
King of Sloth by Ana Huang (Romance): April 30, 2024
Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon (Romance): April 30, 2024
Sound the Gong (Kingdom of Three #2) by Joan He (Fantasy): April 30, 2024
Happy Medium by Sarah Adler (Romance): April 30, 2024
Note: I can’t wait to read this!
Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols (Mystery): April 30, 2024
Books I’ve compiled from mainly the NYT Bestsellers List, but also the B&N Top 100 and Amazon Bestsellers in no particular order. I’ve decided to simply add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci (Historical Fiction)
The Murder Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox (Mystery)
An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Nonfiction)
Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz (Mystery)
Nobody this week! Enjoy our cute lil pup.
Just a reminder to submit any books you think others will love on the R&R page or to my email: thesundayreads@gmail.com!
Funny Story by Emily Henry (Romance)
I’m not even sorry for recommending the same author twice in a row. I read this in two days last week and cried. It is funny and wholesome and raw. Personally, I deeply related to Daphne. I love how Emily Henry writes “romance” but it really covers important and deep topics that everyone can relate to.
That’s all for today. Much love!
Izzy
I think A Little Life is slowly becoming a classic in front of our eyes. While I’m not sure it will be seen as a “classic” for a long time I think The Hunger Games series will be recognised for decades to come as a great collection.
I have my own personal classics that may not ever become clothbound or have limited edition covers, but I will still treasure them dearly.
Old classics provide future generations with valuable history, and nuggets of important wisdom. I just bought a series of children’s classical books for a five year old I tutor. I am very close to her family like a godmother. I enjoy reading these to her each night!