Most overhyped classic masterpiece?

[Ea]

Originally Posted by Heather Parker

I'll probably get shot for suggesting this but is there anyone else who doesn't enjoy Shakespeare? Maybe it's because we're forced to read it in such detail when we're at school but my mind just drifts...
I'm in the UK - do you all have to read it in school in the US too?
Heather

I was lucky not to have any British "classics" forced on me at all, and have been able to discover them all on my own. Still don't like to read Shakespeare, but I enjoy some of the plays in the theatre or in film (seems odd to read a play as if it was a book).

On the other hand, being force-fed Danish classics in school definitely ruined them for me (or me for them?). It's only as an adult I've tentatively revisited a few and found them (surprisingly?) quite good, especially Herman Bang.

[astra]

Any classic is overhyped for me
Fantasy is my genre.

[Slite]

Originally Posted by astra

Any classic is overhyped for me
Fantasy is my genre.

Generalizing much?

Just as there are overhyped classics, there are overhyped fantasy, however, that doesn't mean i draw a line over everything fantasy and say "Overhyped!"

[astra]

Originally Posted by Slite

Generalizing much?

Just as there are overhyped classics, there are overhyped fantasy, however, that doesn't mean i draw a line over everything fantasy and say "Overhyped!"

No generalisation. Just my taste. Don't like the genre. Cannot read it nowdays. I used to like some when I was 18-23...before I started to read fantasy

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by astra

Any classic is overhyped for me
Fantasy is my genre.

So how would you classify Lord of the Rings?

[Sparrow]

... and what's your most overhyped classic?

[Slite]

Originally Posted by astra

No generalisation. Just my taste. Don't like the genre. Cannot read it nowdays. I used to like some when I was 18-23...before I started to read fantasy

I understand what you are saying, there is just a big difference between not liking a genre, and considering some works in that genre not living up to the hype around it.

for instance, in my case, when it comes to fantasy, I think the Wheel of Time is so seriously overhyped. (ducking quickly to avoid stones thrown by all the fanboys)

That however does not mean that I don't enjoy a lot of other fantasy litterature.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

So how would you classify Lord of the Rings?

As well as any H.G Wells? Classic? SF? Fantasy?

Kafka? (I'm thinking metamorphosis here)

[astra]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

So how would you classify Lord of the Rings?

Fantasy?

Slite

there is just a big difference between not liking a genre, and considering some works in that genre not living up to the hype around it.

Well, I don't know about classic books I didn't read. I speak about classic books I did read long time ago. Whatever I read I had to read because it was considered a classic literature and was a must read. All of them were considered to be the best literature ever written. It was terriblt borring with a few exceptions but now I shudder when I think about what I read. So, any classic book that is said to be a good one is an overhyped classic book

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by astra

... I shudder when I think about what I read. So, any classic book that is said to be a good one is an overhyped classic book

[Slite]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Astra is entitled to his/her opinion. Let's by all means discuss it, but that doesn't really bring anything useful to the discussion.

[astra]

Originally Posted by kennyc

People have different tastes.
I accept a fact that there are many people out there who do not read/like fantasy. Some of them do not accept that Fantasy exists as genre in the first place. Some they say it is not a serious literature but trush.
To each its own, I say.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Slite

Astra is entitled to his/her opinion. Let's by all means discuss it, but that doesn't really bring anything useful to the discussion.

Ta.
(His )

[Sparrow]

yes ... but what's your most overhyped classic?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Slite

Astra is entitled to his/her opinion. Let's by all means discuss it, but that doesn't really bring anything useful to the discussion.

I agree about the opinion, but disagree about the "not bringing anything useful" as it clearly indicates my astonishment that anyone could hold that opinion. By all means let's continue the discussion.

Clearly "Classics" by their very definition indicate that a significant majority of people believe they are important and worthy of reading. So when someone designates the entire category as over-hyped there's something rotten in Denmark.

I guess the follow-on questions is along the vein of "Lord of the Rings" and why it would or would not be considered a classic and if of if not it is over-hyped.

Just as a reminder the thread subject is "Most Over-Hyped Classic Masterpiece"