Do you ever question some famous literture works?
@prettymermaid (75)
China
June 22, 2009 9:23am CST
I'm a Chinese, and most of the spare time, I read Chinese novels. My teacher suggestted me to read more English books, but I never made it. Several days ago, I forced myself read the Wuthering Heights, which I learnt in English literature class, and known for its touching love story. In order to have a better understanding, I planed to read it in Chinese first, and then English version. However, after the first time reading, I can't raise any interests to read the English version, and even felt bored sometimes during the reading. I did not see the touching part or unforgetable plot, why? Later, I read the English version "Pride and prejudice", and found it interesting. These are famous books in the world history, but why would I have such different views toward them? Do you ever question the so-called famous books?
2 people like this
4 responses
@windchimebooks (314)
• United States
22 Jun 09
It's all a matter of taste, likes and dislikes. I used to teach school and even with that, I've never liked Wuthering Heights. On the other hand, I do kind of like Pride and Prejudice, but, with the classics, I really love Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward Angel. I like John Steinbeck's East of Eden and others there. And more, many more. Classics are written extremely well, but, even with that, I don't like all of them, even when they have become famous titles over the ages.
So, to answer your question, yes I do sometimes question so-called famous books. Oh, and while it's not a book, there is the movie Casablanca that everyone in the U.S. seems to be crazy about. I don't like it, never been able to sit through the whole thing, but that's rare. Most people love it, but I just don't care for it. On the other hand, the book and the movie Gone With the Wind are top favorites of mine, but a lot of people find both the book and movie long and boring so it's the same with other famous novels, just a matter of taste.
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I really enjoy Wuthering Heights. It is a great love story, with the emphasis on the pain and destruction unrequited love can bring. I always felt for Heathcliff quite a bit. It is one of my favorites as is pride and prejudice. But on the other hand, I can't really stand Dickens which is also considered a classic author. Its all a matter of taste. They usually become a classic not because they are entertaining but because they make some comment on society at the time or some big human issue.
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Personally, I have never understood the uproar over this Shakespeare chap. He wrote dozens of plays that are well known today, 400+ years later, but he wasn't even the most popular playwright of his time (Ben Johnson was far more popular). And of the dozens of plays that he wrote, only two - Much Ado About Nothing and Merry Wives of Windsor, if I remember correctly - were original stories, not taken from history, mythology or a previously written story.
I enjoyed some of the stories, and given a chance would love to play Puck on stage, but I don't understand what is so wonderful, putting his plays and sonnets above and beyond those of his contemporaries.
