AIBU to think classics are bloody hard to read?

[Blackbootswithredribbons]

Now, don't get me wrong, I've read some amazing classics in my time (Lord Of The Flies, Jane Eyre etc) but it definitely hurts my brain sometimes! Amazing stories but the long, pointless descriptions, written in that old fashioned way that makes you feel a little stupid sometimes .

So, AIBU?

YANBU. Some of the "classics" are dreadful.

Yanbu, there is a point when a good TV adaptation is better than the book!

Some are. Some are shockingly modern in their writing. Some are wildly overrated and the best they have going for them is they they’re old.

I don’t know if it’s a classic but I found A Clockwork Orange to be completely unreadable.

I don't think classics are as homogenous as that, are they?

I don't personally have the patience for ploughing through Dickens and the style does nothing for me; I can enjoy curling up with Persuasion, etc. etc. Same with more recent books.

What I can't cope with is books with really convoluted plots as I just lose track. I've no brain for plot at all.

They're "hard to read" because reading is far more accessible nowadays, as language is much simpler and more people read and write. When a lot of classics were written, reading was for learned people only - so they are written in the style of learned people rather than everyday people!

I think it also depends on the genre you usually read - I read lots of science fiction / fantasy, which usually includes lots of world building / over the top descriptions so the classics aren't quite as daunting sometimes 😂

I know what you mean, they’re not always ‘easy’ reads - there are some books I could read if I was feeling really tired and many classics I couldn’t, it would be too much effort.

There isn’t a single book everyone would enjoy, classic or not.

I love a lot of classics, but not so keen on Dickens, my grandfather loved Dickens. Neither of us are wrong, just different tastes.

I cannot be arsed reading classics.
If I have to use even a smidgen of brain power reading is no longer a fun, relaxing activity for me.

"Your observation is one of indubitable alacrity, and brings me the greatest felicity as I indeed have laboured sisyphus-like under the travails of the sesquipedalianism replete among the classics."

~ Jane Austen, 2021

I think we’ve all developed a short attention span from all the screen time tbh! And I include myself.

They're "hard to read" because reading is far more accessible nowadays, as language is much simpler and more people read and write. When a lot of classics were written, reading was for learned people only - so they are written in the style of learned people rather than everyday people!

Yes and they were more expensive too - so you had to be clever and rich to read them. I think a lot of people read stories chapter by chapter in magazines, they’d be cheap and most likely easy to read - but not sold in WHsmiths for us to read today. Shame, because they might actually be more entertaining than some ‘classics’.

@Rosesareyellow
I know exactly what you mean! When I'm tired the only thing I can understand is Harry Potter

Audible is you friend, as it is mine

Dickens published a lot chapter by chapter. He did reading aloud events too. And he's considered a classic.

(I can't stand him, but there we go.)

Audio books are your friends, OP. I've been struggling with David Copperfield for months but since getting an Audible subscription I've really been enjoying it. It's much easier to let the language flow over you.

Hah @IfImLyingImDying great minds!

@HoHoHoHoHoHoHo

They're "hard to read" because reading is far more accessible nowadays, as language is much simpler and more people read and write. When a lot of classics were written, reading was for learned people only - so they are written in the style of learned people rather than everyday people!

I think it also depends on the genre you usually read - I read lots of science fiction / fantasy, which usually includes lots of world building / over the top descriptions so the classics aren't quite as daunting sometimes 😂

Yes, reading Farenheit 451 Vs say, Emma one is definitely going to leave me more boggled! I suppose it just depends on the person aswell sometimes

'Classics' is quite a broad field so there's bound to be lots that you're not into.

I really like Dickens screen adaptations but do not enjoy reading his books. Wilkie Collins makes for a much more gripping read.

I read this as “Mumsnet classics” are hard to read.

Thanks enough internet for today

Dickens wrote novels that were intended to be serialised in popular publications for the masses.

Pickwick Papers was originally published in 19 parts

I, too, think screens have diminished our attention span and language itself has changed.

I've always find them difficult too OP, it's the writing style but probably doesn't help that there are adaptations of most of them now so the stories aren't new to me, less incentive to stick with it to find out what happens!

@MegBusset

Audio books are your friends, OP. I've been struggling with David Copperfield for months but since getting an Audible subscription I've really been enjoying it. It's much easier to let the language flow over you.

Will definitely if that works for me. The idea of being read to sounds quite nice!

I read Tess of the D'urbivilles last year. Interesting read but I found it hard work and felt a bit stupid at times.

I read so many classics as a teen, as a 40 something I seem not to have the capacity to do them anymore! I do wonder whether it is too much screen time!

Jude the Obscure is the one I wish I hadn't read.

I shed too menny tears over that one.