What makes a classic novel?

[<Trinity>]

The essential quality is universality.

I agree - in the sense that it can be understood and enjoyed regardless of whether it revolves around the society and world of 50 or even hundreds of years ago. It should be the meaning and story that is important to one's understanding of it, regardless of whether one has a thorough knowledge of the world the author is writing from. A classic must need to have a lasting message, applicable by anyone's standard - how else does it outlive pulp fiction to still be read even centuries later, when entire social structures and world contexts have changed?

[blazeofglory]

It is philosophy that makes a novel classic. See the Brothers Karamazov for instance.

Keep aside its philosophical part you will have nothing

[Nafo]

i just want to back up Stephen King, who a few have stated that his novels will not become classic. this is just my opinion, but i think King's work may come to be regarded as classic because he has explored some interesting themes about evil, and in some cases, human spirit. i know that a majority of his books may be horrors, but Shawshank and Green Mile are masterpieces that may become classics (in my opinion). Also, horrors shouldn't be excluded from being called classics, because aren't "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" just horror stories too?

Other than that, i agree with everything else that has been said on this board, some good posts guys

[RhapsodyDiablo]

I would argue that you are incorrect. Although Huckleberry Finn is a universal work, the loss of innocence is not one of its themes.

If I may I agree with the original author of the statement. The loss of innocence may not be the central theme in the work, but it is a theme. Huck is thrown into a world that is very different from the one he knows, that can be in a sense referred to as a loss of innocence.

[spellbanisher]

If I may I agree with the original author of the statement. The loss of innocence may not be the central theme in the work, but it is a theme. Huck is thrown into a world that is very different from the one he knows, that can be in a sense referred to as a loss of innocence.

Well, the only way to settle this now is with a poll.

[Calidore]

Interesting thread. My opinion: As many different authors as there are who have written classics, all have different styles, strengths, and weaknesses. I think if you listed the qualities of each writer and then began eliminating them to find something in common, you'd end up with nothing.

People are different; they like different kinds of writing, different kinds of music, movies, etc. The only way I can see to define a classic written work is one that affects enough people that it stays around.

Best,

Calidore

[stlukesguild]

A novel becomes a classic if JBI, JCamillo, MortalTerror, Petrarch'sLove, and I deem it to be so. End of discussion.

Now pass me the beer and crank up the Elmore James!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNBk1faWI-k&feature=fvst

[Blasarius '33]

As many different authors as there are who have written classics, all have different styles, strengths, and weaknesses. I think if you listed the qualities of each writer and then began eliminating them to find something in common, you'd end up with nothing.

People are different; The only way I can see to define a classic written work is one that affects enough people that it stays around.

Unless it's all an April Fools' joke and the right answer is "Text from ancient Greece/Rome," I'll ride these^ coattails.

[Trollzane]

I think a classic book is one that outlasts time-people today can still read Jane Austen and enjoy it because they relate to the characters, or read Dumas because they enjoy the development of plot and characterisation. That's what makes it really classic, but I guess the term tends to be used on books that have just managed to survive being around for a while too. Say a century maybe?

couldn't agree more

[JCamilo]

A novel becomes a classic if JBI, JCamillo, MortalTerror, Petrarch'sLove, and I deem it to be so. End of discussion.

Now pass me the beer and crank up the Elmore James!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNBk1faWI-k&feature=fvst

But each of us has the right to deny one nationality status. Oddly enough 4 votes denied any status to Canada and 1 vote denied any status for the state of California.

[stlukesguild]

Well surely its well understood that there are no Canadian "classics" anyway... that's why JBI has run into the waiting embrace of the Chinese.

Now pas me another beer (or perhaps "one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer") and crank up the John Lee Hooker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNY0K82A7Ac

[blazeofglory]

What makes a novel classic?

In fact the most important thing a novel can do is a message and if it can give a message it endures and if it cannot it gets blown up in the ravage of time. That is why so many novels got lost and a few remain to this date that gets our appreciation.

When it comes to a good novel is its story first and foremost and then the morale is gives. Tolstoy is immortal since his novels are driven by morals.

Today most of novels are written for entertainment only and they get gone with the wind over time

[stlukesguild]

Canada?!? What has Canada got on this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt9lwZyhmIo

[stlukesguild]

Tolstoy is immortal since his novels are driven by morals.


That's why Tolstoy hated Shakespeare. The great Englishman lacked such clear morals. Good does not always triumph. Evil is not always defeated in the end. And in spite of this, Shakespeare was clearly the stronger writer.

[blazeofglory]

Tolstoy is immortal since his novels are driven by morals.


That's why Tolstoy hated Shakespeare. The great Englishman lacked such clear morals. Good does not always triumph. Evil is not always defeated in the end. And in spite of this, Shakespeare was clearly the stronger writer.

You are right and we all are misdirected and hence the world we live in chaotic.

There has been abrasion in values. For this our classical writers account for. They have a fair account of the ills of society but not antidotes and that is why the world is getting sicker and sicker. Countries are waging a variety of wars with one another,some are warring for commerce, others for religion,some for instilling their cultural elements and still others for resources and territorial gains.

Today the reason why people are lost and do not know where the harbor is they are led by the storm of baser values