Classic Literature vs Contemporary Fiction

cynic

Are classics better than contemporary fiction? Book snobs definitely think so. Are Charles Dickens, Jane Austen or Emily Bronte better than the contemporary authors like Stephanie Meyers, Stephen King or Dan Brown? What about modern classics such as The Old Man and the Sea and 1984?

Do share your thoughts on this. Which would you prefer reading?

jhsurti

We all pass through different phases in our lives. There was a time when I only liked to read classics. I read Thomas Hardy, Anthony Trollop, Dickens, Jane Austen. I thoroughly enjoyed that classic English they wrote in. But with time, I started reading modern authors and found them quite interesting and light. Now, if I had to read a classic, I might not be too keen. May be I would read for the language but it wouldn't be like being able to finish it in a week or so. These days I enjoy a light read, not too taxing, easy flow of language.

Mousetrap

I think they're both enjoyable in their own way and the difference in setting, language, problems and other things between the two provide for an interesting variety to devour.
I generally struggle with classics because it's slow going for me and only a little easier than non fiction.

In that aspect, modern classics strike the right balance - they remain engrossing without compromising on language.

Lightness is one of the main reasons why I choose contemporary fiction more often. However, when I'm in the right mood and have loads of quality time, I'd definitely reread a favorite classic!

So, for me, it's not about whether one is better than the other - they're great in their own way, and it's just a matter of the right mood and time available.

cynic

jhsurti 20-6-2018 11:38 AM
We all pass through different phases in our lives. There was a time when I only liked to read classi ...

I totally get the phase bit. I am currently enjoying classics with an occasional non-fiction thrown in

Like mousetrap said, both are enjoyable in their own way. What I do find odd is that people have not read the classics. They were a part of our school curriculum. Aren't they anymore?

wangwilly

I prefer classic because their idea much more original than the modern literature. Nowadays much modern stories are just a remake/recycle/reimagining from the popular classic stories.

Mousetrap

cynic 20-6-2018 05:38 PM
I totally get the phase bit. I am currently enjoying classics with an occasional non-fiction thrown ...

The school curriculum sometimes includes one or few chapters of a classic. Even when a whole book is covered, it is the abridged version. So, if you already know the story, why go to the trouble of reading the unabridged original version? That happened to me with Scarlet Pimpernel.

jhsurti

cynic 20-6-2018 05:38 PM
I totally get the phase bit. I am currently enjoying classics with an occasional non-fiction thrown ...

Yes we had them in schools. Haven't seen the current school books but I doubt they would have them since these days the emphasis is more on rote-learning!
I remember we were once asked in exam about one lesson - can you think of an alternate ending to the story? Write what you think can be a different ending. Do you suppose today's kids would be able to do that? I can imagine parents rushing to schools shouting "out-of-course"!!

metac

That's a great point! Though I don't remember once my teachers taking that exciting risk of asking their students to imagine and present an alternate ending. We were swooning from the unmitigated dull readings in class, and had the teacher asked for some imagination, she'd have been mowed down by a stampede out of class.

Would today's kids be able to do that? If the story's told (or retold, as in the case of a teacher in class) well enough to garner their interest and imagination, I'm sure the kids are smart enough to respond well. The question probably should be: Are the teachers engaged and imaginative and learned enough to handle it?

Coming to the original question, I love both Thomas Hardy and Lee Child, Bram Stoker and Stephen King, JRR Tolkien and Nnedi Okorafor. Classics - like a good friend up there pointed out - broke new ground in their times. Some brilliantly written ones feel fresh and thrilling even today, testament to the authors' skill and craft. Their idiom, cadence, rhythm are so rewarding.

and then, some contemporary narratives give a fascinating echo of one or the other classic, yet bestow a harmony on us that is original, compelling and modern.

We could benefit from comparative contemplation. Literature is human experience captured by one mind, shared by many in a deeply personal way. One could get a rich, wonderful sense of how themes, conflicts, meaning, values reflect changes in the human experience, over time.

Just my two pence.

jhsurti

metac 21-6-2018 12:21 PM
That's a great point! Though I don't remember once my teachers taking that exciting risk of asking t ...

Well said.

cynic

Interesting discussion about the education system. It is indeed about rote-learning than analysis and application. The IB board has tried to make improvements on this, but then, there is way too much emphasis on technology there. In most fields of work, one has to unlearn the book knowledge to learn the application of it.

I recall the librarian at our school would ask us to write book reports based on the book we were issued. It involved public speaking followed by a question and answer session. I doubt any school librarian would take as much interest now.