We all see classics as books a bit older, from Shakespeare to about the 50's. But what modern-ish books would you consider classics?
The Harry Potter series, for one. And I'm reading a bok recommened to me by my cousin called Bloodtide that has been described as a classic, despite only being published in 1999.
That' all I can think of that I'd call classic, but what do you guys know of?
Classics of Today
15 posts in this topic.
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Jack Kerouac's "On the Road." It teaches you that you can get high, go on a roadtrip around the country, have some crazy adventures, meet weird people, come home, get high again, write an entire novel about it, and influence an entire generation!
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Pullman, easily. He today's C.S Lewis, except better with symbollism.
I'd say Brian Jacques would have to be a classic author for childrens books, Rowling too (though hers are obviously more suitable to the older reader than Jacques are).
Raymond Feist has been at it for a while, but the Riftwar Saga refuses to die and gosh darnit, I love it. That man deserves a hug.
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I sort of doubt that Rowling is a classic. She's a best seller--but not a classic.
I couldn't tell you who a classic is of this time period. I don't read a whole lot of modern things. However, we've had this discussion in lit class before, and it does exist!
Oh, well actually I just recalled. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, published in 1990, has to be one of the most amazing classics I've read that isn't incredebly old. Why do I call it a classic? Because it has a timeless theme, it bleeds symbolism, and the writing is unbelievable. If you're looking for a current classic, I highly suggest you read this.
Perhaps I'll write down a few names my lit professor has suggested and post them here. -
a book i read resently that has good potential fro classic-statis is the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by mark haddon because it is a unique approach and great material.
with jk rowling, i think she will always be read, and she will be up there with all the great fantasy writers, but i don't know if she will survive as a mainstream classic writer for several reasons.
one- harry potter is a multi-volume work. most classics are single works, or, as in the case of homer's works, they are able to stand alone. while people do read the harry potter books out of order, some of the best writing is in the latter books, but to fully appreciate 5, 6, and 7 (especially seven), you have to read the previous ones.
two- harry potter is fantasy. while fantasy can be considered a regular classic, it is usually harder. not that this is fair, but it is usually true. this one will be a factor if/when harry potter loses mainstream appeal.
three- it is a comment on the times, but it isn't. with someone likeausten or tolkein, knowing the times enrich the work. but with harry potter, it doesn't address the modern world as we know it. yes, it does have simularities to world war two and the bible, but the author did not live through the war and the bible has been around for 2000 years.
four(and last one)- jk rowling is a writer, but she is more a stroyteller than a writer. compare her works to shakespeare, lewis, rostand, dostoevsky, hawthorne, and meville and you'll see that symbolism is much more deep. their description is much more full. before everyone jumps on me- THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A STORYTELLER. i am more a storyteller tahn a writer. but storytellers are usually not as enduring.
of course, everything i've said can be refuted with examples- what makes a classic is not a checklist you can predict- and i could be wrong. but i just don't see people reading and studying harry potter two hundred years from now. sorry. -
I agree with the harry potter, and i know its for kids but Holes is a kids classic. Oh and the giver, great book.
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Harry Potter is definitely a classic, or will become one, it doesn't fit all parameters, but it's way too famous. It's probably one of the biggest fandoms in a long time, if ever. Her characters are some of the most diverse and deep since Austen and Dickens. And as for the fantasy and series barrier, what about Lord of the Rings? That is definitely a classic. It is opinion based, i guess, but the general or popular opinion is the only one that counts in the end, and the HP fandom will get Harry Potter on this list somehow.
I don't know any modern classics, it's been hard to find a new and decent book lately. -
The Giver and Gathering Blue.
Yah, Harry Potter's good, but not classic. -
Atonement.
Absolute classic. -
The Eva Ibbotson books. Written in the last twenty years and wonderful. Many authors swear inspiration from that woman.
I think Harry Potter will eventually become a classic. Right now it's just amazingly popular. How many people do you know (in civilization) that don't know the name "Harry Potter"?
Another book that will one day be read as a classic. Twilight. The books personally aren't my favorite, but it is so popular that people are going to look upon it as modern classic. I think. I personally hope that they don't last forever; I'm sort of sick of listening about Bella and Edward and how difficult their lives are. -
I believe Harry Potter will be borderline classic - kids will have to read it in school, I'm betting. Anyway, I say one modern classic is Children of Men. It was awful, but it's still a classic.
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I don't think there are any present day classics. They are classics for a reason. They are classical. We do have some books who have the potential to become a classic, like Harry Potter, a classic is something that will never die. In my opinion, I think Harry Potter will become a classic, but not Twilight, despite how hot Edward is.
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"Flowers for Algernon" (le sob! Somebody get me a hankie) by Daniel Keyes is my most likely nomination. And "Fahrenheit 451." If you consider that modern. XD
"The Giver" by Lois Lowry... "Holes" by Louis Sachar... -
"The Book Thief"!
And the Terry Pratchett books. Yes. All million of them. And "Life of Pi". And "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy ought to already be a classic. And mine... =D -
I do not read a lot of modern literature but Pamuk's The White Castle will definitely be considered a classic and it is relatively modern. The life of Pi I see as becoming a classic in the near future. There is also The Shack. I think A Series of Unfortunate events is the most likely to become a Classic for children, much like C.S Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia. As for Harry Potter, it might or not become a classic. If one hundred years from now kids are reading it and are not tried of its writing it will be considered one, but if it is only relevant to a culture that wants to escape from the monotonicity of everyday life, then I do not think so.
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