09-26-2013, 11:48 AM | #61 |
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A general suggestion: whichever classic book you choose, I urge you to skip the introduction that is often added by a scholar or other writer. Introductions such as these often have plot spoilers and spend time dissecting the book or discussing its place in literary history. Such introductions are best read after you've read the work in question.
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09-26-2013, 11:53 AM | #62 | |
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Maybe they would have better been added *after* the book then, and called "Afterword" or something. |
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09-26-2013, 12:39 PM | #63 |
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I guess the reason is that scholarly editions, such as the "Penguin Classics" series, tend to be read by people who are already familiar with the plot, hence the concept of "spoilers" doesn't really apply. The introduction in such editions is telling you the things you should be looking out for as you read, so it is something you want to read before the actual book.
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09-26-2013, 03:47 PM | #64 | |
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09-26-2013, 04:09 PM | #65 | |
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"Skip this introduction if you are reading this work for the first time. It is intended for people who are rereading this book and wish to gain additional understanding; reading the introduction before your first read of the work may spoil the story for you." |
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09-26-2013, 04:45 PM | #66 | |
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09-26-2013, 06:30 PM | #67 | |
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09-26-2013, 07:03 PM | #68 |
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09-27-2013, 01:23 AM | #69 | |
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09-27-2013, 08:04 AM | #70 |
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They also like to add introductions so they can have some copyrighted material in the book.
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09-27-2013, 08:22 AM | #71 |
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The introduction, footnotes, appendices, etc, is the whole point of scholarly editions. If you want the "raw" text, you can get it free of charge. The "extra stuff" is the reason I have a bookshelf full of Penguin Classics, Oxford World Classics, etc.
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09-27-2013, 10:45 AM | #72 |
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...and the reason you have the appropriate material to do your painstaking proofs of public domain works - for which we thank you.
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10-03-2013, 11:01 PM | #73 |
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I'd like to add Hector Malot's "Sans famille" to the list of recommendations.
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10-04-2013, 12:56 PM | #74 | |
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10-06-2013, 07:56 PM | #75 |
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I've read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and it was a really good book. eReaders make reading books so much easier I think!!!
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