The Best CLASSIC novel of ALL TIME! - Page 11

crich70 · 10-16-2010, 01:37 AM

Anyway I always think of a "Classic" as a book that is read and enjoyed over generations of readers long after the author has passed on. There are some books that are hailed as "modern classics" but I don't think they fit in with the "Classics" in quite the same way. Granted there are some books that read so well that a number of people agree that they will likely become "Classics" in the future but they have yet to "pay their dues" so to speak in order to be added to the list of "Classic Books." Just my opinion of course.

Metal Mick · 10-16-2010, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

Actually I thought I was on topic. We were talking about Classic books <snip>...

Hi crich70, et al,

From the person who started the thread:

"The Best CLASSIC novel of ALL TIME!
I thought this might be fun!

I am talking about CLASSIC novels only."

I tend to believe discussing the Bible is a digression from the topic.

Perhaps it is time to let this issue lie, lest the moderators end up closing a thread I have found very informative and interesting.

Cheers,

crich70 · 10-16-2010, 03:39 AM

I didn't (and don't) intend to belabor the point, I just wanted to state why I mentioned the Bible itself in relation to the topic. After all no one said that all classic books had to be counted as fiction. And, before it can be brought up, no I am not trying to get into a debate as to if the Bible is fiction or non-fiction. That would be a clear digression from the topic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Mick

Hi crich70, et al,

From the person who started the thread:

"The Best CLASSIC novel of ALL TIME!
I thought this might be fun!

I am talking about CLASSIC novels only."

I tend to believe discussing the Bible is a digression from the topic.

Perhaps it is time to let this issue lie, lest the moderators end up closing a thread I have found very informative and interesting.

Cheers,

pdurrant · 10-16-2010, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

I didn't (and don't) intend to belabor the point, I just wanted to state why I mentioned the Bible itself in relation to the topic. After all no one said that all classic books had to be counted as fiction.

From the first post (emphasis added)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Williamlk

I am talking about CLASSIC novels only.

Book can be fact or fiction. Novels are always fiction, or at least, fictionalised.

JSWolf · 10-16-2010, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

The King James was a horrible translation.

I agree 100%.

montsnmags · 10-16-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

The Tale of Genji, by Lady Murasaki Shikibu.

In original:

源氏物語、作者：式部紫

If you don't read the original I would suggest the translation by Edward Seidensticker.

I have "Royall Tyler" written down on my "To buy" list as the recommended translation (though I don't recall where I got that recommendation from). I've seen the Seidensticker come up on my eBay search though. Do you know of the Tyler translation, and if so would you recommend the Seidensticker over it?

Cheers,
Marc

Kumabjorn · 10-16-2010, 11:57 AM

Royall Tyler is a newer translation based on a "modernized" version of the original. Today the original is mainly read by scholars due to the 10th century language used. There are several "modernized" versions, ranging from post-war kana usage to a more modern narrative. A "new" version seems to pop up every few years or so, including manga versions. Your choice between Seidensticker and Tyler would kind of depend on whether you want to read it purely for relaxation/entertainment (Tyler) or to accrue knowledge of late Heian Japan (Seidensticker). If I recall correctly Genji was one of Seidensticker's earlier accomplishments and he kind of entered his pinnacle with translations when he did Tanizaki and Kawabata. Who knows, you might enjoy reading both.

jeffcobb · 10-16-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Royall Tyler is a newer translation based on a "modernized" version of the original. Today the original is mainly read by scholars due to the 10th century language used. There are several "modernized" versions, ranging from post-war kana usage to a more modern narrative. A "new" version seems to pop up every few years or so, including manga versions. Your choice between Seidensticker and Tyler would kind of depend on whether you want to read it purely for relaxation/entertainment (Tyler) or to accrue knowledge of late Heian Japan (Seidensticker). If I recall correctly Genji was one of Seidensticker's earlier accomplishments and he kind of entered his pinnacle with translations when he did Tanizaki and Kawabata. Who knows, you might enjoy reading both.

Wow and now I feel like a heathen for reading manga...

montsnmags · 10-17-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Royall Tyler is a newer translation based on a "modernized" version of the original. Today the original is mainly read by scholars due to the 10th century language used. There are several "modernized" versions, ranging from post-war kana usage to a more modern narrative. A "new" version seems to pop up every few years or so, including manga versions. Your choice between Seidensticker and Tyler would kind of depend on whether you want to read it purely for relaxation/entertainment (Tyler) or to accrue knowledge of late Heian Japan (Seidensticker). If I recall correctly Genji was one of Seidensticker's earlier accomplishments and he kind of entered his pinnacle with translations when he did Tanizaki and Kawabata. Who knows, you might enjoy reading both.

Thank-you, Kumabjorn. That was a lot more than I hoped for, and I am most grateful.

Cheers,
Marc

paaThaka · 10-17-2010, 12:41 PM

John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath

It was personally an important book, remains so and is still timely. Highly recommended, esp. for youngers readers who have not experienced a single hard depression yet (sans the 2008-2009 dip).

issybird · 10-17-2010, 04:28 PM

The Good Soldier
The Great Gatsby
The Magic Mountain
Wuthering Heights
Emma

I don't care for books in translation and yet I made an exception for one on my list.

Along those lines, I love a story I heard about Thomas Mann. He objected to Knopf's renaming Lotte in Weimar as The Beloved Returns, instead of keeping the original title (which obviously didn't need translation). His editor at Knopf said something along the lines of, "Tom, Americans won't purchase a book with a title of three words, two of which they they're not sure how to pronounce." Mann was on board!

JoelArnold · 10-18-2010, 10:47 PM

My vote would go for either The Brothers Karamazov - I loved the characterizations and plotting - or To Kill a Mockingbird, which is just wonderful overall imo.

kennyc · 10-19-2010, 06:00 AM

I just wish To Kill a Mockingbird were available as an ebook.

Kumabjorn · 10-19-2010, 01:24 PM

Me too. I find it quite vexing and inexplicable that it isn't. Anyone knows of a valid reason?

MasterGame · 10-19-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

For me, it's Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

That one tops my list too.

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10-16-2010, 01:37 AM	#151
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	Anyway I always think of a "Classic" as a book that is read and enjoyed over generations of readers long after the author has passed on. There are some books that are hailed as "modern classics" but I don't think they fit in with the "Classics" in quite the same way. Granted there are some books that read so well that a number of people agree that they will likely become "Classics" in the future but they have yet to "pay their dues" so to speak in order to be added to the list of "Classic Books." Just my opinion of course.

10-16-2010, 11:57 AM	#157
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Royall Tyler is a newer translation based on a "modernized" version of the original. Today the original is mainly read by scholars due to the 10th century language used. There are several "modernized" versions, ranging from post-war kana usage to a more modern narrative. A "new" version seems to pop up every few years or so, including manga versions. Your choice between Seidensticker and Tyler would kind of depend on whether you want to read it purely for relaxation/entertainment (Tyler) or to accrue knowledge of late Heian Japan (Seidensticker). If I recall correctly Genji was one of Seidensticker's earlier accomplishments and he kind of entered his pinnacle with translations when he did Tanizaki and Kawabata. Who knows, you might enjoy reading both.

10-17-2010, 12:41 PM	#160
paaThaka Connoisseur Posts: 54 Karma: 499216 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath It was personally an important book, remains so and is still timely. Highly recommended, esp. for youngers readers who have not experienced a single hard depression yet (sans the 2008-2009 dip).

10-17-2010, 04:28 PM	#161
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,335 Karma: 234636059 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	The Good Soldier The Great Gatsby The Magic Mountain Wuthering Heights Emma I don't care for books in translation and yet I made an exception for one on my list. Along those lines, I love a story I heard about Thomas Mann. He objected to Knopf's renaming Lotte in Weimar as The Beloved Returns, instead of keeping the original title (which obviously didn't need translation). His editor at Knopf said something along the lines of, "Tom, Americans won't purchase a book with a title of three words, two of which they they're not sure how to pronounce." Mann was on board!

10-18-2010, 10:47 PM	#162
JoelArnold Fanatic Posts: 544 Karma: 1036914 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Savage, MN Device: Kindle 3	My vote would go for either The Brothers Karamazov - I loved the characterizations and plotting - or To Kill a Mockingbird, which is just wonderful overall imo.

10-19-2010, 06:00 AM	#163
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,916 Karma: 119747553 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	I just wish To Kill a Mockingbird were available as an ebook.

10-19-2010, 01:24 PM	#164
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Me too. I find it quite vexing and inexplicable that it isn't. Anyone knows of a valid reason?

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