Welcome to another post, today I’m going to start taking part in Let’s Talk Bookish, a weekly meme hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books and Dani @ Literary Lion. This week’s topic is Classics!
Do you prefer reading classics or contemporaries?
I have to say contemporaries! Classics can be quite intimidating, and I definitely want to read some more classics but I would typically go for contemporary novels. There is so much choice with contemporaries in terms of genre as well, with more variety of fantasy and sci-fi for example. Contemporaries are much easier to read and get into, but classics are classics for a reason so I do want to explore more of them!
What differences do you notice between the two?
As I said, classics normally have more complicated language. From my experience, they tend to have less dialogue and action, and more internal monologue, which can either be really interesting or really boring! So I think classics are usually more introspective. It’s quite hard to lump all non-classics together though, there’s so many different genres and authors, whereas classics are a genre in themselves.
Why do you think the “classics” have been designated classics and are studied in school?
I think classics have lasted so long and become ‘classics’ because they tend to explore the human condition, which transcends time. They are probably studied in school because there’s so much to unpack, and so many different interpretations. It also allows you to study society and history within the context of their time. However, I wish some modern books were studied at school too! I also wish I carried on English but you definitely don’t have to study English to read and analyse classics yourself.
Are there any newer books that remind you of classics?
I’m sure many people will disagree with me, but these feel like classics to me. Mexican Gothic is a twist on the gothic classics, which are traditionally white and European. It’s social commentary and atmosphere is what reminds me of a classic, but it pushes the boundaries further! I think Pachinko has so many themes that would be great to study in English classes, and its ambitious and wide scope feels like a classic. These are both historical fiction, so perhaps that makes it feel ‘classic’ to me as well.
Thanks for reading! Do you like classics and do you agree with my answers?
—ella♥
ella isn’t writing 
I totally agree with you. I also prefer reading contemporaries and modern classics as there’re just easier to get through. I do want to read more ‘older’ classics though, there’re too many famous ones I haven’t read yet and I always feel like I’m missing out haha
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I loved hearing your thoughts on this! I love and hate both classics and contempories – it really depends on the specific book 😁 But I don’t think I could give either of them up! 😊
I do disagree that classics should be considered a genre, though. Like with contemporary fiction, there are so many different subgenres! Classic sci-fi, for example – I think it’s hilarious how some authors imagined our time period might look like 😂 Though yes – the ones you’re forced to read in school are usually all realistic fiction meant to give you a portrayal of society back then… But once you dig deeper, there’s so much more!
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Thank you, and yes that’s definitely true, I’ve never really looked further than the popular classics!
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I find classics to be quite intimidating as well!
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I think most classics would fit into the literary fiction section of the bookstore. It is much harder for me to find the motivation to finish a classic so I almost never read them…
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I do enjoy reading Classics, but I agree with you that they can often be more difficult to get through than a contemporary, for that reason I have to be in the mood for one 😊
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