To roll my eyes when someone says their favourite book is a classic

[Eyeroller100]

I'm an avid reader and I'm always looking for new books to read so I often ask people what their favourite books are. AIBU to roll my eyes every time someone mentions one of the classics.

I know people do love them and they may well be their faves, but I am quite skeptical as if they are saying it to make themselves sound better.

I've tried reading a lot of classics and I just can't get into them at all! They are pure effort

The problem with most (all?) adaptations of classics is that they are unfailingly turned into soppy romances, when in even the most romantic classic novels they are about so much more. Can't say I'd be moved to read any on the recommendation of adaptations. All those deep, strong, 3d women are invariably portrayed as simpering and lovelorn with the vaguest hint at the real character, presumably so you can distinguish which is Catherine Earnshaw and which is Fanny Price. No real characters.

1984 for me. I re-read it every few years.

I omitted to mention my love for Nancy Mitford, though the eagle-eyed probably guessed! Is Pursuit of Love a classic? It’s certainly not high literature but it’s marvellous.

Oh, definitely Nancy Mitford's books are classics! Also Cold Comfort Farm.

No. YNBU.

You know what shits me up? When some dull cunt tells you they love reading and then recommends Fifty Shades or that wanky Gone Girl.

Makes me standby.

Ugh.

Stabby. Not standby ffs

People have different tastes.

Some people love the classics, some people love Gillian Flynn, some people love Tolkien, and some love Dan Brown.

Idgaf.

And some people love a mix of genres!

Jassy I also hate Wuthering Heights, if ever there were two people with horrific personality traits it was Cathy and Heathcliff. Jane Eyre is of its time but poor Mrs Rochester in the attic I think Mr Rochester is a total arsehole and Jane is irritating and so grateful.

The hardest book to digest for me was The Satanic Verses, my mate who had a degree in Lit from Oxford said she found it difficult as well so I didn't feel so bad.

I love Precious Bane by Mary Webb and used to love buying or borrowing Viragos, anyone love them and their dark green spines. There was one called our spoons came from Woolworths, I need to re read them as a mature woman.

The OP reminds me of a very weird conversation I had with a woman years ago. I was reading my kindle and she giggled and said “how are you enjoying 50 Shades?”. I said that I hadn’t read it and was reading something else.

She absolutely would not believe me. She was reading 50 Shades. All her friends and colleagues were reading 50 Shades, therefore I must be reading it too.

She went on and on. In exasperation I showed her that I was reading The Tennant of Wildfell Hall.

She told me I was pretentious and stomped off in a huff.

She interrupted me.
She demanded to know what I was reading.
She then judged me for it.

Sound familiar OP?

Cuntess

Oh of course! That's me all over. Eclectic.

Yay Terry!! My favourite too. Used to be Tolkien until I read Terry Pratchett.

Have to agree taste is really personal. I have friends that are serious academics that love horror and/or romance. I think it's pretty wonderful that there are so many options to choose from. My favs tend to be pre-80s and way back, but do branch out into modern writing and have found some great stuff.

Maybe you just haven't found classic that you enjoy yet, there are so many authors to choose from. Too be honest I'm just thrilled that people are still reading!! I didn't love the Twilight books, but I admire Stephanie Meyers as she got some of my non-reading friends to read.

Keep reading OP, that's all that counts

Apologies the first part of my post was to AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered on pg4. Still figuring out how this system works.

@captainjackandjill
I can't bring myself to read Pratchett, his wife is such an arsehole.

Oh you should! The humour in the Discworld series is like no other imo.

I'd love to but she's so mean. I'd hate to contribute to the fortune she throws in people's faces when they are trying to help her 🙄

You could always buy from a charity shop (I often find them in there). That way, you're not paying them for the book, you're paying the charity. Just an idea :)

*not paying her

My friend is an actual pratchett obsessive. He has an entire wall of all his books in different editions and some signed.

I think I've just made it political In my head now

derangedmermaid I'm sorry to hear that. Myself I don't tend to get involved in author's lives, my interest is just in the books. The Discworld is amazing and I am forever grateful that I discovered Terry, he's truly fabulous. However enjoy what you enjoy, so many books to choose from there's no need to read what doesn't interest you.

OMG I think I'm in love with your friend derangedmermaid

Damn, am I the only one still up. I just finished the thread and am dying to hear more about poster's fav books. I'm still new here, is there a book thread on MN?

Also wanted to add @HermionesRightHook Wow wow wow, loved the CS Lewis quote!! I love his work, and get a chuckle out of him putting a lamp post in Narnia cause Tolkien said you can't have lamp posts in a fantasy story, so cheeky

Most people here are in the UK so are now getting up and ready for the day!

Here is the books chat section www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading

Is Pursuit of Love a classic?

Absolutely. Gorgeous book

PeanutButterCheese - I think the whole darkness of character is the point for me. When you consider who it was written by. Still blows my mind

I hate being asked what my favourite book is. I don’t have a favourite anything.

Don’t have a favourite colour or number or holiday destination or anything.

To me, it’s a very childish question.