The Classics Book Tag
Ruth at A Great Book Study
tagged “ANYONE”, which includes me, so…
1. An over-hyped classic you never really liked:
On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I’ll leave it at that here (follow the link if you
are curious why?)
2. Favorite time period to read about: I don’t
have a favorite. I’m a bit deficient in Medieval (500-1500) and Renaissance (1500-1670), but I’ve
begun to correct that. I am seriously lacking in Enlightenment
period (1700-1800). I'm wondering now, what the period of 1671-1699 is known as?
3. Favorite fairytale: The Emperor’s New
Clothes. A timeless commentary, and it might just even have something to say
about certain written works that are considered great today.
4. What is the most embarrassing classic you
have not read? The Chronicles of Narnia, though, I’m not really embarrassed.
5. Top five classics you want to read: The
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, The Tale of the Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, Jude
the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, Kim by Rudyard Kipling, and Beau Geste by P.C.
Wren
6. Favorite modern book or series based on a
classic: Apocalypse Now – based on Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. IMO,
Apocalypse Now is better than the original.
7. Favorite movie version or TV series based on
a classic: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962 film). Personally, I hope no one EVER
redoes this. IMO, they’d be foolish to; they will suffer by comparison.
8. Worst classic to movie adaptation: I could
have fun with this, but lest I come off as a snob, let me first say, MOST classic
adaptations I’ve watched were at least decent, considering a two-hour time
constraint, and there are a good number that are very good. However, Lord of the Flies has not been done well yet, Animal Farm has not been done well yet, most
versions of Frankenstein are not at all faithful, Catcher in the Rye hasn’t
even been attempted, nor has Invisible Man (both worthy) …but…I hate, loathe,
despise, and abominate the 2002 version of The Count of Monte Cristo.
9. Favorite editions you would like to collect
more of: I like The Everyman’s Library, Modern Library, and Folio Society editions.
10. An under-hyped classic:
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.
And I’ll just follow Ruth’s
example and tag . . . ANYONE WHO FEELS COMPELLED TO ANSWER. Leave a link and I
promise to comment on your list.
Just for fun...impress me by citing the source of "hate, loathe, despise, and abominate".
.
: D Always entertaining!
ReplyDelete2. The Enlightenment is a fun time period, even if you find yourself disagreeing with everything you read -- like Rousseau.
3. Great point!
6. Apocalypse Now! shocked me. : D But it did have a ton of great actors. Here's my two cents about AN: http://greatbookstudy.blogspot.com/2013/04/update-concerning-heart-of-darkness.html
7. Totally agree.
10. Totally, totally agree. I know that is one you have requested before, but Ellison also said no way to a film version. : (
Yeah, I know Ellison was opposed to it, and I am definitely in favor of honoring the author's wishes. I believe after his death, his wife would not allow it because he would not allow it, and again, I respect that. But, now she has passed...and it might be just me...but I feel that after the author is gone, it is no disrespect to them, if succeeding heirs were to allow it. Eventually it will pass into public domain...but I feel it is such an important novel...and unfortunately, most will never pick up the book. I'd like to see the greater exposure that film can bring. Eh...just wishing.
DeleteGood point. As a film, it would create whole new generations of readers.
DeleteI love this tag. I hope you like Kim when you get to it. I found it to be fantastic, just a great adventure and less racist than I would have anticipated. The first (and only) Kipling I have read.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I've read a little Kipling, but it's been a while. Looking forward to Kim.
DeleteI always list On the Road as one of the worst books I ever read--but then I read it when I was <20 years old, at the insistence of one of my older brothers, and I would have rather been reading Austen.
ReplyDeleteThe Beat authors have never really done much for me, though my older siblings still swear by them.
Favorite fairytale is an interesting prompt--you chose a great one, that is, as you say, timelessly relevant.
Enjoyed reading your responses.
Well I read it in my 50s and it still did nothing for me. I'm rather with Truman Capote on this one.
DeleteTo Kill a Mockingbird is a WONDERFUL adaptation. x
ReplyDeleteWe share your answer to #3 & 4. :)
It may be the most perfect rendering of a classic novel I know of...down to the black and white, and even the adult Scout narrator's voice. Everything - perfect.
DeleteSurely it has to be a Judy Garland quote, I can see her face, but can't pick the pic.
ReplyDeleteTo Kill A Mockingbird - yes, yes, yes. Gregory Peck will always be Atticus. And if you consider Gone With the Wind a classic, then that's another book to movie that worked IMO.
On the Road is one I've yet to read, but it's not very high on any of my TBR lists either.
I may be tempted to tag myself in this...:-)
You got it...Judy Garland in Meet me in St. Louis. A good flick...and if you ever want to hear the most heartbreaking rendition of Merry Little Christmas...this is the film.
DeleteAnd yes...GWTW was also superb. I give a slight edge TKAM though. Mostly because I believe you can tell TKAM in 2 hours, better than you can tell GwtW in 4.
DeleteAhhh Meet Me in St Louis - it's a very long time since I watched that movie. I miss how the TV stations used to play the old classics on Sunday afternoons, now it's just all sport.
DeleteI had some time to tag myself - my post is here
Yes...totally agree on #1, #2, #3 and I too, only recently have started reading The Chronicles of Narnia! You have company there! I agree with you....I hope no one tries to remake To Kill a Mockingbird! I am afraid they will make a miserable mess off it! Fun review!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to watch that To Kill a Mockingbird adaptation for ages now. I really need to get around to that.
ReplyDeleteI also need to get to Invisible Man.
Yes please...you must get to both. I believe you will LOVE Invisible Man.
Delete