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Last week a couple of blogs featured discussions about young adult books and whether these books challenge readers enough, or if readers should be picking up the classics alongside these books because classics are much more complicated and challenge reader’s minds. I’m not going to go into a big discussion about young adult literature and the complexities of it, versus adult classics, instead I’d like to pick up on the point about classics being challenging – as in harder to read, therefore more worthwhile. Again this post isn’t meant to address the loaded question of whether stuff that is hard is always good for you, or even if books being good for you is something we’re all looking for. Instead I’d like to make a shocking and controversial statement (giggles):
Not all classics are hard to read.
I’m not saying this because I’m uber smart and can read the most complicated classics as easy as snapping my fingers. I’m saying it because it is not technically difficult to read the work of many classic authors. Take Graham Greene for example, although his writing is beautiful, it’s also straightforward prose written with the kind of easy going rhythm that makes breezing through his novels a piece of rainbow coloured candyfloss (piece of pie just seemed such a dull comparison for Greene). There are some deep ideas in his books that may stretch a reader’s mind and worldview, but typically it’s quite easy to see what Greene’s on about and what he would like his readers to think about, even if it’s not always easy to see what he wants them to think (and frankly I’d never have finished any of his novels if he was one of those dictatorial writers who only wants you to see the world their way).
Greene isn’t the only classic author whose writing is easy and fun to read (just in case you don’t rate him, or something). Plautalus wrote ancient Roman comedies that are effortless to follow, although admittedly this may be partly because so many of the dramatic structures and plots that modern readers are familiar with have been based on them (Shakespeare’s comedies for instance follow roughly the same rules as Roman comedies). E M Forster’s writing is light and his stories usually focus around a domestic situation. Both are classic authors, deemed important and relevant by the ages, but both have produced work that goes down easily.
Yes you will encounter worthwhile classics that are more challenging to read, but just like young adult novels classics don’t form a separate genre, they’re not all part of one homogenous group with similar characteristics. So if you’re feeling a little down on classic literature, or you’re not sure you want to give classics a try, or if you’re just looking for an enjoyable read why not pick up a classic that reads like an especially lovely dream (recommendations below).
Recommendations
'Maurice' – E M Forster
'The Picture of Dorian Gray' – Oscar Wilde
'Brideshead Revisited' – Evelyn Waugh
'The End of the Affair' – Graham Greene
'Rebecca' – Daphne du Maurier
'To Kill a Mocking Bird' – Harper Lee
'I Capture the Castle' – Dodie Smith
A little question to finish off - which classic author or book is your nemesis? Have you ever powered through a classic book you found difficult to read and have you felt the benefit?
Not all classics are hard to read.
I’m not saying this because I’m uber smart and can read the most complicated classics as easy as snapping my fingers. I’m saying it because it is not technically difficult to read the work of many classic authors. Take Graham Greene for example, although his writing is beautiful, it’s also straightforward prose written with the kind of easy going rhythm that makes breezing through his novels a piece of rainbow coloured candyfloss (piece of pie just seemed such a dull comparison for Greene). There are some deep ideas in his books that may stretch a reader’s mind and worldview, but typically it’s quite easy to see what Greene’s on about and what he would like his readers to think about, even if it’s not always easy to see what he wants them to think (and frankly I’d never have finished any of his novels if he was one of those dictatorial writers who only wants you to see the world their way).
Greene isn’t the only classic author whose writing is easy and fun to read (just in case you don’t rate him, or something). Plautalus wrote ancient Roman comedies that are effortless to follow, although admittedly this may be partly because so many of the dramatic structures and plots that modern readers are familiar with have been based on them (Shakespeare’s comedies for instance follow roughly the same rules as Roman comedies). E M Forster’s writing is light and his stories usually focus around a domestic situation. Both are classic authors, deemed important and relevant by the ages, but both have produced work that goes down easily.
Yes you will encounter worthwhile classics that are more challenging to read, but just like young adult novels classics don’t form a separate genre, they’re not all part of one homogenous group with similar characteristics. So if you’re feeling a little down on classic literature, or you’re not sure you want to give classics a try, or if you’re just looking for an enjoyable read why not pick up a classic that reads like an especially lovely dream (recommendations below).
Recommendations
'Maurice' – E M Forster
'The Picture of Dorian Gray' – Oscar Wilde
'Brideshead Revisited' – Evelyn Waugh
'The End of the Affair' – Graham Greene
'Rebecca' – Daphne du Maurier
'To Kill a Mocking Bird' – Harper Lee
'I Capture the Castle' – Dodie Smith
A little question to finish off - which classic author or book is your nemesis? Have you ever powered through a classic book you found difficult to read and have you felt the benefit?