My father who taught English literature and speech until he was 91 told me that when a person approaches the ancient literature, he or she should read about eight explanations and one valid explanation, he said, was "The Cliff Notes," and another he said was a graphic novel of the piece of literature. I did this during the pandemic and read eight explanations from his shelf of "Ulysses," by James Joyce. I got through it. I also would read aloud at night ten pages and then read three books of explanations ten pages each.
I am 53 but I remember liking these classics when I was young: Frankenstein The Count of Monte Cristo The Picture of Dorian Gray The Jungle To Kill a Mocking Bird Huckleberry Finn Slaughter House Five Little Women Grapes of Wrath The French Lieutenant's Woman Animal Farm All Quiet on the Western Front What I can recommend now is The First Law Trilogy, The Warlord Chronicles and The Empire Trilogy!!
Love the confession towards the end. Literature is for everyone and there's no shame in feeling differently from the masses after reading a classic. We all have our own perspective... our personal thoughts, beliefs and experiences can be seen in the way we perceive a great classic. I'm in my last semester of grad school and the arguments/debates never stop in my class. There's always room for debate when it comes to literature. Love the way you handled this topic.
Literature like all arts is subjective, one man's diamond is anothers trash. It's always so interesting the way stories can split people on their impressions.
As a kid, I was fascinated by the Great Books of the Western World collection which sat atop my dad's bookshelf. One of the coolest features was a 10-year reading plan suggested by the editors which started with both Plato's Apology & Crito, ending years and years later with T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land. 15 year old me never got far into the collection, but I would daydream about what sort of person might be on the other end of the decade long journey.
I find this very validating. I love so many works of classic literture but there are some that are very popular and beloved that I can't stand. It's important to remember all classics are not Wuthering Heights and I can just read classics that I want to read, not ones I feel like I "should". Also getting back into deeper literature after months of sleepless nights it's a great idea to start with small wins. A recommended reading list would be great!
Great to hear from you, Suzanne! Sometimes even our best intentions to read can be thwarted when life's obligations get in the way. I'm going to try to work on that reading list.
The fact that you really spoke to the importance of EDITIONS is so important!!! So appreciated!! Even just like reading the Signet edition of Les Mis is excruciating compared to the Penguin edition and the translations are different as well. I hope you will explain how different editions also mean different translations which is also important.
Never actually read classic books as a kid. It's not like it wasn't presented to me. It's just that I wasn't interested as a child. Now as a 33-year-old man have been turning to the classics. What a journey! Almost done with the count of Monte Cristo. I could do bicep curls with that book!
As a keen mountain climber and reader? There's a concept in the former called 'type 2 fun'. The fun that doesn't feel fun at the time. It took me about 6 years and four attempts to get through Ullyses, for example. I ended up having to read it with a guide to each chapter open whilst I read that chapter. That novel made me feel so small and so ignorant at times. But I got through it, and more so I found myself loving those moments where everything started clicking into place. I love the novel now, but only because I spent months putting in the work. That said, there are other classics that I found deeply engaging and readable from the get go. Most Kafka, Crime & Punishment and As I lay Dying spring immediately to mind.
Very helpful and appreciated, especially the part about the language being difficult. What I tend to do is read the material, think about what I think is going on. Then I’ll go read a summary of sorts that explains it better, and see how close I was to what was being said.
I am auditing a class at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry's Bay, Ontario. I decided to take a class called, Restoration and 18th Century Satire. Very enjoyable and though I won't do the research paper or tests, I did do the satire poetry assignment and that was fun! We are just starting to read Cecilia by Frances Burney. My professor has had us read books and authors that influenced Jane Austen. Next September I am taking the Jane Austen class!
I agree with you about the Oxford World Classics - the introductions and notes are really good and the bindings, at least for their Shakespeare series, have sewn bindings, so they're really durable.
When I was 13 years old I have read Miserabilii by Victor Hugo for the first time.From that on, I felt in love with classics and read almost all of them during highschool and university. It’s all about that first book you read. :)
What I'm looking to start, or perhaps the term is, revive an intellectual discussion group, much like Oxford profs like C.S. Lewis attended. Maybe it sounds like "an old boys club" in stuffy rooms with heavy drapes and overstuffed chairs, but that's EXACTY what I want to recreate! I long to discuss poets and prose authors amidst a Victorian environment. To me, ambiance is everything!
Adam Walker Close Reading Poetry is a great channel here on yt. It’s virtual so no ambience but you can create your own while you listen. Benjamin McAvoy is great for novels
Hi Dr Moore, thanks so much for the video. Great tip about googling the course syllabi! Just wondering if you've done a video on Frankenstein that I might have missed? Or can I request one? :)
Hey Prof! Love your vlog. You motivate me to read more classic literature. :) Wanted to know: What is the version of 'The Aeneid' on the thumbnail of this video? I'm looking for a good translation to read. Any recommendations welcome, too.
I grew up surrounded by and enjoying many classics because that is what my parents read. However I would your advice on where to start with modern literature, would be grateful for your guidance, can you recommend a site or do you have a list to hand? Thank you 🙏
![จบจนได้ ! | Black Myth: Wukong #007 [ตอนจบ?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DSqvWndF0sw/mqdefault.jpg)
![ว้าว!ลุงบีมแบกทองมารับขวัญหลานกันยกบ้าน [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.49 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Osihq1OAs-4/mqdefault.jpg)
My father who taught English literature and speech until he was 91 told me that when a person approaches the ancient literature, he or she should read about eight explanations and one valid explanation, he said, was "The Cliff Notes," and another he said was a graphic novel of the piece of literature. I did this during the pandemic and read eight explanations from his shelf of "Ulysses," by James Joyce. I got through it. I also would read aloud at night ten pages and then read three books of explanations ten pages each.
A recommendation list would be super helpful!
Did he ever do this??
I am 53 but I remember liking these classics when I was young:
Frankenstein
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Jungle
To Kill a Mocking Bird
Huckleberry Finn
Slaughter House Five
Little Women
Grapes of Wrath
The French Lieutenant's Woman
Animal Farm
All Quiet on the Western Front
What I can recommend now is The First Law Trilogy,
The Warlord Chronicles and The Empire Trilogy!!
i'd recommend 'Bleak House' and 'Don Quixote.'oh, and Robinson Crusoe.
@@heidi6281Thanks!
Love the confession towards the end. Literature is for everyone and there's no shame in feeling differently from the masses after reading a classic. We all have our own perspective... our personal thoughts, beliefs and experiences can be seen in the way we perceive a great classic. I'm in my last semester of grad school and the arguments/debates never stop in my class. There's always room for debate when it comes to literature. Love the way you handled this topic.
Literature like all arts is subjective, one man's diamond is anothers trash. It's always so interesting the way stories can split people on their impressions.
A recommendation list is awesome. Would love that video.
I appreciate that you look at literature as a form of philosophy
It’s the only way I know how!
As a kid, I was fascinated by the Great Books of the Western World collection which sat atop my dad's bookshelf. One of the coolest features was a 10-year reading plan suggested by the editors which started with both Plato's Apology & Crito, ending years and years later with T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land. 15 year old me never got far into the collection, but I would daydream about what sort of person might be on the other end of the decade long journey.
What a great anecdote! Thanks for sharing that. These books really can be transformative.
I find this very validating. I love so many works of classic literture but there are some that are very popular and beloved that I can't stand. It's important to remember all classics are not Wuthering Heights and I can just read classics that I want to read, not ones I feel like I "should".
Also getting back into deeper literature after months of sleepless nights it's a great idea to start with small wins.
A recommended reading list would be great!
Great to hear from you, Suzanne! Sometimes even our best intentions to read can be thwarted when life's obligations get in the way. I'm going to try to work on that reading list.
I’m actually enjoying Wuthering Heights right now as I’m trying to get back into reading.
Thanks for the course syllabus tip. I’ve almost come to that conclusion by myself but you laying it out brings me the rest of the way.
Glad you found it useful. 👍
The fact that you really spoke to the importance of EDITIONS is so important!!! So appreciated!! Even just like reading the Signet edition of Les Mis is excruciating compared to the Penguin edition and the translations are different as well. I hope you will explain how different editions also mean different translations which is also important.
Never actually read classic books as a kid. It's not like it wasn't presented to me. It's just that I wasn't interested as a child. Now as a 33-year-old man have been turning to the classics. What a journey! Almost done with the count of Monte Cristo. I could do bicep curls with that book!
As a keen mountain climber and reader? There's a concept in the former called 'type 2 fun'. The fun that doesn't feel fun at the time.
It took me about 6 years and four attempts to get through Ullyses, for example. I ended up having to read it with a guide to each chapter open whilst I read that chapter. That novel made me feel so small and so ignorant at times. But I got through it, and more so I found myself loving those moments where everything started clicking into place. I love the novel now, but only because I spent months putting in the work.
That said, there are other classics that I found deeply engaging and readable from the get go. Most Kafka, Crime & Punishment and As I lay Dying spring immediately to mind.
@@anthonyholroyd5359 Thanks for sharing. Apt comparison!
Very helpful and appreciated, especially the part about the language being difficult. What I tend to do is read the material, think about what I think is going on. Then I’ll go read a summary of sorts that explains it better, and see how close I was to what was being said.
Love this channel!
Thanks! I appreciate that!
Reading about Lennie in Of Mice and Men sickened me, but Pride and Prejudice saved me. I appreciate your approach and suggestions.
Sooo happy I’ve found your channel! Fabulous video!
Thanks! Welcome!
You are so generous in sharing your knowledge, experience and insights, it’s deeply appreciated ❤️
I am auditing a class at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry's Bay, Ontario. I decided to take a class called, Restoration and 18th Century Satire. Very enjoyable and though I won't do the research paper or tests, I did do the satire poetry assignment and that was fun!
We are just starting to read Cecilia by Frances Burney. My professor has had us read books and authors that influenced Jane Austen. Next September I am taking the Jane Austen class!
Thank you for making this video.
I agree with you about the Oxford World Classics - the introductions and notes are really good and the bindings, at least for their Shakespeare series, have sewn bindings, so they're really durable.
I would love to see a list of recommendations.
When I was 13 years old I have read Miserabilii by Victor Hugo for the first time.From that on, I felt in love with classics and read almost all of them during highschool and university. It’s all about that first book you read. :)
@@gradinaorganicatransilvania I agree! For me it was probably Lord of the Flies and The Chronicles of Narnia!
Nice, right on time, I was considering asking.
Thank you so much for making this channel! I’ve been looking for something exactly like this!!
Thanks for watching! I’m glad you found it worthwhile.
Yes! Interested in philosophy- but it can be overwhelming. Would love a checklist and recommended reading list please
What I'm looking to start, or perhaps the term is, revive an intellectual discussion group, much like Oxford profs like C.S. Lewis attended. Maybe it sounds like "an old boys club" in stuffy rooms with heavy drapes and overstuffed chairs, but that's EXACTY what I want to recreate! I long to discuss poets and prose authors amidst a Victorian environment. To me, ambiance is everything!
Adam Walker Close Reading Poetry is a great channel here on yt. It’s virtual so no ambience but you can create your own while you listen. Benjamin McAvoy is great for novels
I would love a suggested reading list. I'm 67 years old and have read some but would like some guidance in reading more classics.
Very helpful and motivating. Thank you
Start with Don Quixote, considered by readers and scholars to be the greatest novel ever written.
Hi Dr Moore, thanks so much for the video. Great tip about googling the course syllabi! Just wondering if you've done a video on Frankenstein that I might have missed? Or can I request one? :)
Hi Beth, Glad you liked it! I haven’t done one on Frankenstein yet, but I should. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@GreatBooksProf That would be great, thank you!
I would love to have a class with you professor.
Hey Prof! Love your vlog. You motivate me to read more classic literature. :)
Wanted to know: What is the version of 'The Aeneid' on the thumbnail of this video? I'm looking for a good translation to read. Any recommendations welcome, too.
Any help for me!
I need to hand in dissertation on neoliberalism and its social harms it causes
Have you read Achille Mbembe? I made a video about his book Necropolitics. Might be relevant: th-cam.com/video/pX_Ql-8HIhI/w-d-xo.html
@@GreatBooksProf You dropped the ball on Adorno.
Yes, please!😊
I grew up surrounded by and enjoying many classics because that is what my parents read. However I would your advice on where to start with modern literature, would be grateful for your guidance, can you recommend a site or do you have a list to hand? Thank you 🙏