What does "well-read" mean?

[4691mls]

This is a spinoff from the "paranoia" thread. The discussion drifted onto the topic of being well-read and I thought this deserved its own discussion.

I consider "well-read" to mean having read a wide variety of books, including classics but perhaps also including other genres.

What do you think?

[Paperbackstash]

To me it's simple, well-read just means reading a lot in general, not having to include a wide variety of genres. I know it can mean a somewhat academic definition to some, like a variety of nonfiction or classics, but meh.

[Luffy]

I don't know. I'll be following this thread to hopefully find out.

[John F]

I would think it means having read a lot of classics across multiple genres.

As opposed to a heavy reader, who is someone who reads a lot.

[Luffy]

I dread reading any classic over 700 pages.

[hildea]

To me, "well read" is an old fashioned word, it's not natural for me to use it.

The first association I get when I hear it is Darcy talking about his criteria for an accomplished woman (and does "well read" require you to know who Darcy is, and which book by which author he appears in? Should a well read person recognize the quote and remember the gist of it?)

The second association I get is the recent discussion about canon in SF&F, and Jeanette Ng's acceptance speech for the Campbell award (and does "well read" require you to know what kind of books Ng writes? Or what she talked about in her speech? Or who Campbell was, and why the Campbell award was renamed?)

[hobnail]

Reminds me of one of the observations I made about the British aristocracy in the earlier part of the last century and beyond. When someone was going to college, for example at Oxford, they wouldn't say they were attending Oxford, it was they were reading at Oxford. Being well read for them meant reading the Greek and Roman classics, maybe also Shakespeare. Studying things like math, biology, geology was dreadfully plebeian and low brow.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

I would think it means having read a lot of classics across multiple genres.

As opposed to a heavy reader, who is someone who reads a lot.

There are a lot of modern classics. Classics don't have to be moldy oldies.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Luffy

I dread reading any classic over 700 pages.

I think you can be considered to be well-read if you can read Finnegans Wake by James Joyce .

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by hildea

To me, "well read" is an old fashioned word, it's not natural for me to use it.

The first association I get when I hear it is Darcy talking about his criteria for an accomplished woman (and does "well read" require you to know who Darcy is, and which book by which author he appears in? Should a well read person recognize the quote and remember the gist of it?)

The second association I get is the recent discussion about canon in SF&F, and Jeanette Ng's acceptance speech for the Campbell award (and does "well read" require you to know what kind of books Ng writes? Or what she talked about in her speech? Or who Campbell was, and why the Campbell award was renamed?)

Do we have to actually like these "classics" to be well-read? I find reading Jane Austen to be something I will never do. I know about her and some of her books, but to actually read her books? Heck no!

[binaryhermit]

It sounds like a word elitist gatekeepers would use, to be honest.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

It sounds like a word elitist gatekeepers would use, to be honest.

Indeed, the word that sprang to mind was "articulate". The connotations/implications would often be similar.

[binaryhermit]

Though the term elitist tends to provide some connotations politically when used that I... don't agree with.
But, honestly, when it comes to literature, who really cares.

[barryem]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There are a lot of modern classics. Classics don't have to be moldy oldies.

I think "modern classics" is a marketing term and has no real meaning. Classic means it's been judged over a period of time to be worthwhile. Take the time out of it to make it modern and it's not a classic.

Think "military intelligence".

Barry

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by barryem

I think "modern classics" is a marketing term and has no real meaning. Classic means it's been judged over a period of time to be worthwhile. Take the time out of it to make it modern and it's not a classic.

Think "military intelligence".

Barry

A lot of the classics would not be read if the term classics was not used with them. A lot are rubbish and don't deserve to still be read.