Classics discussion

What constitutes a "Classic?"

I am actually not sure. Age perhaps- anything written before the 1950s?

I got curious and Googled "what makes a book a classic?". About.com has an interesting definition.

http://classiclit.about.com/od/forbeg...

Hmmm yes I would agree with that.

I think as well the influence of a classic on later books. Lord of the Rings for example has been a major influence on modern fantasy and the sagas and heroic tales of old on LOTR. The lost king and his band of friends fighting an impossible war against a dark foe.

In fact, my own series is influenced by a number of such tales.

Sinbad and Odyssey are similar, wandering adventurers dealing with gods, monsters and each other as they try and return home, cursed and lost.

I think there are a number of modern books along the same themes.

I suppose these days we do not appreciate the themes in say, Austen- women needing to not only be virtuous on their wedding day but perferably providing a dowry. If you read a lot of the literature of that period and style the women were concerned with a potential suitor's status and wealth, he could be a wife-beating alcohol but if he had £10000 to his name and was the lord of whereever he was a good catch.
The men wanted to know what dowry a women would bring.

Ugly and rich- you got a husband (who took pretty mistresses) pretty and poor you were the mistress. Ugly and poor you were the old maid.

Whether this was ACTUALLY the case I do not know but it certainly seemed that way. Of course times are different, in many parts of the world but romantic historical fiction is still popular.

I have to say I like the books of that era but I do get a little bored with what now seems the shallowness of the Bennett women, but this is from the point of view of a modern woman.

I am watching Downton Abbey on TV. That again is another era, long gone (fortunately) but it is a good insight on how far we have moved forward.

I would say follow ups are a no, does that constitute what we now call Fan fic?

Fair enough. I know there is a sequel to Phantom of the Opera which is awesome Phantom and I have read a rather dubious seque to lady chatterly's lover.

Along with influence I would Also suggest longevity, timelessness or continued relevance. There are many books that no one reads regardless of their impact on the literary world. They didn't age well. there is an element of luck too.

True.

Yes it is great. It is quite hard to get but I managed to get a spare copy via Amazon. I have not seen it in Kindle form though.
I have a nice clean shiny copy and a readable copy now.