PebHmong Discussion Forum

Entertainment => Books & Magazines => Topic started by: ICU2 on June 24, 2014, 02:25:21 PM

Title: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 24, 2014, 02:25:21 PM
Have you read a classic and what is your favorite?
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on June 24, 2014, 02:37:16 PM
Hmm... classics.  What is considered a classic?  I liked 1984.  What about you?  I also enjoyed reading Odysseus.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 25, 2014, 11:49:47 AM
David Copperfield by Charles D.ickens
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 26, 2014, 10:30:11 AM
Can u tell me a little about why u like the book u mentioned?  I want to find out if it's interesting to read.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 26, 2014, 12:09:14 PM
I read David Copperfield when I was in High School (read Great Expectations by the same author for an AP English class and really liked his writing style so picked up David Copperfield) so I really can't remember everything about the story.  I'm planning on re-reading it again.

Here's a synopsis from Goodreads:

David Copperfield is the story of a young man’s adventures on his journey from an unhappy & impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist. Among the gloriously vivid cast of characters he encounters are his tyrannical stepfather, Mr Murdstone; his formidable aunt, Betsey Trotwood; the eternally humble yet treacherous Uriah Heep; frivolous, enchanting Dora; & the magnificently impecunious Micawber, one of literature’s great comic creations.

REF (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58696.David_Copperfield?from_search=true)

Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 26, 2014, 12:14:20 PM
Another classic that really stood out is East of Eden by John Steinbeck.  I wouldn't call it a favorite or anything but it left an imprint on me.  I can still remember the character, Cathy, clearly.  I would call her the evilest of all evil.  She is an extreme mind manipulator and what scares me is that there are people who are like her in this world AND that I've actually encountered someone like her.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Set in the rich farmland of California’s Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Here Steinbeck created some of his most memorable characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity; the inexplicabilit y of love; and the murderous consequences of love’s absence.

REF (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4406.East_of_Eden?from_search=true)
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 26, 2014, 04:41:38 PM
Thanks Moonangel.  ;)

those sound like interesting reads.  since i have all those books, including the other two suggested from BK and the other person, i may just pop it open for a read after i'm finished with the current books.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on June 26, 2014, 04:59:37 PM
The Great Expectation was another memorable one.  I read this back in high school and I still remember a lot of in great details.  Wikipedia have some info on it. 

What are some of your favorite ICU2, and why? 
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on June 26, 2014, 05:01:32 PM
I read David Copperfield when I was in High School (read Great Expectations by the same author for an AP English class and really liked his writing style so picked up David Copperfield) so I really can't remember everything about the story.  I'm planning on re-reading it again.

Here's a synopsis from Goodreads:

David Copperfield is the story of a young man’s adventures on his journey from an unhappy & impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist. Among the gloriously vivid cast of characters he encounters are his tyrannical stepfather, Mr Murdstone; his formidable aunt, Betsey Trotwood; the eternally humble yet treacherous Uriah Heep; frivolous, enchanting Dora; & the magnificently impecunious Micawber, one of literature’s great comic creations.

REF (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58696.David_Copperfield?from_search=true)

Was David Copperfield as good as The Great Expectation?
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 26, 2014, 06:28:19 PM
Thanks Moonangel.  ;)

those sound like interesting reads.  since i have all those books, including the other two suggested from BK and the other person, i may just pop it open for a read after i'm finished with the current books.

You're welcome.  Let us know what you think.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 26, 2014, 06:30:30 PM
Was David Copperfield as good as The Great Expectation?

I thought they were both equally good.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 27, 2014, 12:20:13 PM
The Great Expectation was another memorable one.  I read this back in high school and I still remember a lot of in great details.  Wikipedia have some info on it. 

What are some of your favorite ICU2, and why?

Great Expectation would be my numero uno also.  Following that would be an equal draw with Heart of Darkness and Catch 22.  Now, Catch 22 is a funny, dumb, book.  The writing style is also just that.  The characters, the storyline, the plots are all funny dumb yet intertaining.  You either like it or would probably hate it.  Though this isn't entirely a classic.

Loved the writing style and loved the story of Great Expectation.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on June 27, 2014, 12:41:58 PM
ICU2,

I take it that you have read it before too? 
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on June 27, 2014, 01:15:58 PM
I don't necessarily have one favorite, but these are some of my favorite classics:

Pride and Prejudice
Jane Eyre
Great Expectations
Oliver Twist
Emma
Sense and Sensibility
Wuthering Heights
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 27, 2014, 01:32:40 PM
I don't necessarily have one favorite, but these are some of my favorite classics:

Pride and Prejudice
Jane Eyre
Great Expectations
Oliver Twist
Emma
Sense and Sensibility
Wuthering Heights

Hi beautiful. ;)

I have all of them, i really do just haven't read them  ;D .  So which one would u recommend? 
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 27, 2014, 01:33:55 PM
Wait, can't recall if I have Emma.  Maybe not that one.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 27, 2014, 01:39:33 PM
If you're talking non classics, these are my favorites since winter of last year to this year:

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

A couple of more classics I liked:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

BTW, I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice.  It's okay so far.  :)
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 27, 2014, 01:45:41 PM
If you're talking non classics, these are my favorites since winter of last year to this year:

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

A couple of more classics I liked:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

BTW, I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice.  It's okay so far.  :)

Can u give us a short synopsis, your version?  Of it so far for you.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 27, 2014, 02:08:52 PM
Can u give us a short synopsis, your version?  Of it so far for you.

That would be too much to type and retype.  If you want, you can read my reviews under my book review thread.  I also have my booklis (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/27722112-prettypeony)t running on goodreads so you can also read my reviews there + search books for synopsis.  That's probably the better and faster way to get reviews and synopsis - thru goodreads or even amazon.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 27, 2014, 04:19:25 PM
That would be too much to type and retype.  If you want, you can read my reviews under my book review thread.  I also have my booklis (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/27722112-prettypeony)t running on goodreads so you can also read my reviews there + search books for synopsis.  That's probably the better and faster way to get reviews and synopsis - thru goodreads or even amazon.

Ty.  Will check it out when I have time   :)
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on June 29, 2014, 05:21:33 PM
Hi beautiful. ;)

I have all of them, i really do just haven't read them  ;D .  So which one would u recommend? 

I would recommend ALL of them.  They're all great classics.   ;D

Additional reads would be:

The Great Gatsby
A Tale of Two Cities
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Catcher in the Rye
A Farewell to Arms
The Odyssey
Of Mice and Men
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: prima_donna on June 30, 2014, 05:16:47 AM
Frankenstein
Journey to the Center of earth
Alice in wonderland
Dr. Jeryll and Mr. Hyde
The scarlet letter

Books that I want to read:
Dracula
Tales of two cities
Lord of the flies
The outsiders
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 30, 2014, 12:14:14 PM
I would recommend ALL of them.  They're all great classics.   ;D

Additional reads would be:

The Great Gatsby
A Tale of Two Cities
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Catcher in the Rye
A Farewell to Arms
The Odyssey
Of Mice and Men

i started to read Tale of Two Cities some years ago, but the drama didn't pick up fast enough for me and put the book down.  The Ad of Tom Sawyer and To Kill a Mockingbird were school readings, which were okay.  The Odyssey was a college course book and Of Mice and Men was a decent read.  That leaves Catcher in the Rye and Farewell to Arms, both of which i also have.  I'll read a couple of chapters and see what happens.

thanks for the recommendation beautiful  ;)
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 30, 2014, 12:17:31 PM
Frankenstein
Journey to the Center of earth
Alice in wonderland
Dr. Jeryll and Mr. Hyde
The scarlet letter

Books that I want to read:
Dracula
Tales of two cities
Lord of the flies
The outsiders

I have Dracula, Dr. Jeryll and Mr. Hyde, the Scarlet Letter.  Not sure if i have Freinkenstein, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Alice in Wonderland.

The Lord of the flies and the Outsider read those in school.  Not bad though.

Don't know what your perferences are, but i would probably go with Dracula first, only because it'll give me the chills.  :o :o
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on June 30, 2014, 01:27:28 PM
Tales of Two Cities and Gatsby were two very boring classics to me... lol
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: lilly on June 30, 2014, 01:59:50 PM
A Tale of Two Cities, for one.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on June 30, 2014, 02:47:34 PM
A Tale of Two Cities, for one.

i keep seeing Tale of Two Cities...

BK, you and i may have to revisit this book  :o
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on June 30, 2014, 04:26:41 PM
You read it and give me the highlights... no way am I going to read that book again... lol.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on June 30, 2014, 04:28:22 PM
I love to read... and I hated those two books.  For me, a story has to have a human side to it that looks beyond the surface.  As far as I can remember, both of those books lack that depth that I look for and enjoy.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on July 01, 2014, 12:24:40 PM
You read it and give me the highlights... no way am I going to read that book again... lol.

maybe, but leaning towards a "not gonna read it" either.  I have too many books to choose from.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on July 01, 2014, 01:03:39 PM
Hahahahahha...
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: Bokehlicious on July 03, 2014, 09:24:52 PM
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne.

I have read it in high school and didn't have much appreciation for the premise/characters (especially Captain Nemo) surrounding the story until I reread it again as an adult. 

Here, Nemo dominates the book.  He provides a wonderful study of the complexities of humanity; Nemo is a man of his word, a genius, a gentleman (he is reduced to tears at the death of a crewman, he rescues an unknown pearl diver at his own risk)...yet there is something cruel and dangerous about him (he sinks ships and submerges beneath the waves to callously watch as they descend to their doom).  He is an admirer of Abraham Lincoln and a self-proclaimed defender of the oppressed.  He is the tyrant fighting tyranny...who evokes both sympathy and irony.

What I most enjoyed about reading 20K is that throughout the book, Verne infuses the idea of science through stunning descriptions of the undersea world...from the flora to its fauna and the curiosities of how the ocean operates. 
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: hollywoodgirl on July 03, 2014, 09:30:40 PM
I love readying about Greek mythology.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: hollywoodgirl on July 03, 2014, 09:32:30 PM
The  Narnia Chronicles..al l the books. I read them all. I also love ready about Regency romance novels

Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on July 03, 2014, 11:58:29 PM
The  Narnia Chronicles..al l the books. I read them all. I also love ready about Regency romance novels

Did u think the movies did anything justice to the books.  I've only watched the movies.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on July 09, 2014, 05:23:15 PM
i started to read Tale of Two Cities some years ago, but the drama didn't pick up fast enough for me and put the book down.  The Ad of Tom Sawyer and To Kill a Mockingbird were school readings, which were okay.  The Odyssey was a college course book and Of Mice and Men was a decent read.  That leaves Catcher in the Rye and Farewell to Arms, both of which i also have.  I'll read a couple of chapters and see what happens.

thanks for the recommendation beautiful  ;)

You should give some of them a chance.  I admit, some may be slow reads AT FIRST but it will usually pick up along the way.  I enjoyed each of those books immensely.   ;D
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on July 10, 2014, 12:04:17 PM
You should give some of them a chance.  I admit, some may be slow reads AT FIRST but it will usually pick up along the way.  I enjoyed each of those books immensely.   ;D

when time permits, i shall indulge myself in those two books

here's to you beautiful  ;)
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ButterflyKisses on July 10, 2014, 01:24:59 PM
You should give some of them a chance.  I admit, some may be slow reads AT FIRST but it will usually pick up along the way.  I enjoyed each of those books immensely.   ;D

If a book doesn't hook me in the first few chapters, I will open it to the middle and if I am still bored after a few pages, then I leave it alone.  There's too many wonderful things out there to try and make it through something boring.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on July 10, 2014, 06:22:36 PM
when time permits, i shall indulge myself in those two books

here's to you beautiful  ;)

And not just those two.....    :P

If a book doesn't hook me in the first few chapters, I will open it to the middle and if I am still bored after a few pages, then I leave it alone.  There's too many wonderful things out there to try and make it through something boring.

I don't like reading from the middle.  There may be things that I miss out on or have questions about, so I prefer to just read from the beginning.  I admit, there are some classics that I find boring and like you, I'll put it down.    ;D
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on July 15, 2014, 02:48:44 PM
And not just those two.....    :P


i don't have time for all of them, which is your must read classic?  i'll check that one out.  ;D
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on July 16, 2014, 08:11:48 AM
i don't have time for all of them, which is your must read classic?  i'll check that one out.  ;D

Hehehe.  The question is, what type of books pique your interest?   Once I know, I may be able to recommend.    ;D
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on July 16, 2014, 11:21:54 AM
Hehehe.  The question is, what type of books pique your interest?   Once I know, I may be able to recommend.    ;D

i am interested in your book, in you?  what do you recommend i read?  i want to know what is fascinating to Trouble, what piques her interest.  ;)
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on July 17, 2014, 02:04:40 PM
But what piques my interest may not pique yours.......so isn't it better to tell me what types of book you would prefer......   ;D
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on July 17, 2014, 05:36:37 PM
But what piques my interest may not pique yours.......so isn't it better to tell me what types of book you would prefer......   ;D

what if you pique my interest more, and i just want to get to know you a little better by knowing what kind of books you like to read  ;)

Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on July 17, 2014, 07:40:16 PM
I'm a very boring person so I doubt I could pique anyone's interest.  ;D
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on July 18, 2014, 11:02:28 AM
I'm a very boring person so I doubt I could pique anyone's interest.  ;D

you don't have to be interesting to pique my interest.  you just have to be you  ;)

but i really doubt if you're boring...from the looks of your threads anyway ;)

i supposed what you need is a dose of fun... :o and you know what that is?
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on August 01, 2014, 11:06:58 PM
Yes, I do know what that is............ a fun book to read.   ;D
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on August 06, 2014, 06:12:51 PM
Yes, I do know what that is............ a fun book to read.   ;D

forget the books, you sound like you need to go on a vacation  ;) to a place far far away and write about it
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on August 07, 2014, 09:32:11 AM
I have gone on a vacation far far away.......... ..in my head, and I've written about it too.  Hehehe.    :D    :P
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on August 07, 2014, 12:38:29 PM
I have gone on a vacation far far away.......... ..in my head, and I've written about it too.  Hehehe.    :D    :P

if you have one, i want to read it, really.  ;D

u know where i'd like to go
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: tRouBLe on August 11, 2014, 09:55:04 AM
It probably wouldn't interest you since it's so disheartening and melancholy.    :P

Hmmmmm....Hawa ii?   Hehehe.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: ICU2 on August 11, 2014, 10:45:58 AM
It probably wouldn't interest you since it's so disheartening and melancholy.    :P

Hmmmmm....Hawa ii?   Hehehe.

Hawaii sounds like fun, a walk along the sandy beach, snorkling for lobsters in the ocean blue sea or just lounging on a chir, sipping on a cold pina colada watching the sun set

i can definitely see that  ;) ;)

Ever been to Hawaii?  i could take you  ;) ;)
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: Believe_N_Me on October 23, 2014, 09:47:25 AM
Another classic that really stood out is East of Eden by John Steinbeck.  I wouldn't call it a favorite or anything but it left an imprint on me.  I can still remember the character, Cathy, clearly.  I would call her the evilest of all evil.  She is an extreme mind manipulator and what scares me is that there are people who are like her in this world AND that I've actually encountered someone like her.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Set in the rich farmland of California’s Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. Here Steinbeck created some of his most memorable characters and explored his most enduring themes: the mystery of identity; the inexplicabilit y of love; and the murderous consequences of love’s absence.



 

REF (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4406.East_of_Eden?from_search=true)

Sounds interesting. I like novels where characters are well-crafted through subtleties rather than the obvious. However, I have never picked up another Steinbeck book since "Of Mice and Men", which I read in junior high. It was rather boring but then again I was only in junior high. I'm sure my review of the book as an adult will be different. However, just how evil is Cathy? One thing I can't stand are story lines where the villain is over the top but keeps getting away with his/her antics because people are either too stupid or too forgiving. It's one reason why I quit "The Vampire Diaries", "American Horror Stories", and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager". 
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: H.H. Vangh on October 23, 2014, 02:56:36 PM
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, The Art of War Sun Tzu and I'm reading the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 13, 2016, 03:26:26 PM
Sounds interesting. I like novels where characters are well-crafted through subtleties rather than the obvious. However, I have never picked up another Steinbeck book since "Of Mice and Men", which I read in junior high. It was rather boring but then again I was only in junior high. I'm sure my review of the book as an adult will be different. However, just how evil is Cathy? One thing I can't stand are story lines where the villain is over the top but keeps getting away with his/her antics because people are either too stupid or too forgiving. It's one reason why I quit "The Vampire Diaries", "American Horror Stories", and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager".

Cathy is pure evil but she gives you (or gave me, rather) goosebumps because the qualities in her are the qualities that are in every human.  I don't think it's anything like the ones you've mentioned.  I'd read it again but her evilness scares me so I'm going to wait awhile.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: zena on June 13, 2016, 03:34:42 PM
A classic that I loved was Alice Adams by Booth Tarkington.  It is a story about the early 1920's when American society was in a caste system.  The situation was that Alice's family fell backward while her neighbors and friends moved forward.  They were able to ride the wave of change and profit hugely while Alice's family chose not to for various reasons and ended up poor.  It really touches the heart.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: Phab Ej Dao Vue on December 16, 2017, 05:38:47 AM
this

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51430n%2B9jlL._SX355_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)

and this

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61-eE1%2BaqgL.jpg)

didn't see that coming huh you pretentious judgmental asshats.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: thePoster on December 27, 2017, 06:06:04 AM
Your classics looks like required high school readings!

Anyways...  I remember

Animal Farm?  I liked reading that one.
A Day No pigs Would Die was another good one.  I think I was to young to really understand it all.
Charlottes Web is a good one.  Seems kiddie but it's good.
LOrd of the Flies is a good one..better than the movie for sure, my teacher was able to ...well it was weird...
Anyone of the Lord of the Rings..that was the only book in school everyone actually enjoyed reading and actually went and read the rest of the trilogy by ourselves (this was way before the movie came out).


Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: thePoster on December 27, 2017, 06:08:14 AM
I remember reading the great gatsby too.  Our teacher wouldn't let us watch the movie because she said we'd be cheating!

I think I vaguely remember reading North and South...
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: Phab Ej Dao Vue on March 10, 2018, 04:49:43 AM
I don't look upon classics too fondly. For one thing they remind me of long, dull papers full of asinine critical analyses we were forced to write. For another, they were usually long and tedious to get through. But my favorites are mostly the ones I found on my own such as Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice. Two notable classics that I had to read for school that I didn't mind were the Great Gatsby and North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell. There is actually a great adaptation of North & South starring Richard Armitage (the actor who plays Thorin in The Hobbit). You can find it on Netflix.

I hate reading. Thank God for Sparknotes and movies for getting me through school hehe.
Title: Re: What is your favorite Classic Novel
Post by: can on June 20, 2018, 02:17:55 PM
i read Tolstoy in high school but in Russian.