I’m finally back with a second post in the Classic Remarks meme by Pages Unbound! Although I’m not a huge classics reader (in my opinion), I really liked this week’s prompt:
What advice would you give to someone hesitant to read classics?
Perhaps I’ve been inspired by today’s Tea Together Tuesday, but I’ve got three tips for this week’s prompt as well:
Tip One: Read a classic with a reading group
I’m currently rereading Anna Karenina with an Instagram group and I’ve realised that it’s a lot more fun reading it by myself! Reading it with a group has two benefits:
- You can talk/ask questions about the book as you read it, which can help you understand what’s going on.
- Reading groups often have a set pacing that’s meant to be achievable for everyone, which means that you don’t have to tackle the whole book in one goal. If this classic is a long one, breaking it into smaller goals is going to make it seem less intimidating!
If this sounds like something you like, the Instagram reading group I’m currently in is organised by WildflowerBookshelf. You could let her know if you’d like to enter, or find a group of your own! I’m sure there are tons!
Tip Two: Read a graphic novel adaptation, or read an abridged version
This may sound heretical to purists but the graphic novel adaptation or an abridged version may be a good way to get a grasp of what’s going on before you tackle the original version. For example, I actually found the Manga Shakespeare books to be very helpful when reading Shakespeare because they used the abridged original lines, which helps you get a sense of the language while being able to see what’s going on.
Another great graphic novel adaptation I like are the comic versions of Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Asiapac books. I’ve read volume one of the originals and the comics and the comics are definitely a lot easier to follow!
Tip Three: Start with children’s classic books
Sometimes, when people say “classics” we think of long, dense works of literature. But classics can be for adults and children, and if you’re new to the world of classics, children’s classics are a great way to dip your toes! You may have even read some classics without knowing it – e.g. Charlotte’s Web, The Secret Garden, Black Beauty.
The prose for children’s classics tend to be easier to read and the works are shorter. From there, you can start going on to longer works (such as moving from The Hobbit to Lord of the Rings) and then to what we think of as “more serious” classics, such as Lolita, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Crime and Punishment, etc.
So these are my three tips that I’d give to people who are hesitant to read the classics. What other advice do you have?
I love these suggestions! I think reading with a group can definitely make a book seem more approachable. Other people’s insights can help you see things you missed or appreciate aspects you wouldn’t have picked up on your own. I also like the idea of graphic novels and adaptations–sometimes seeing the story in a new way can really make it come alive! And yes to the children’s classics! I think a lot of people already like classics. They just didn’t realize something like Charlotte’s Web “counted” because, well, they like it! And classics are supposed to be hard and boring, right? 😀
Thank you for the great prompt! Yeah, I think a lot of people have the wrong impression of the classics, so getting them started on more readable versions (whether it’s children or modern or an adaptation) is a great way to get them to fall in love with it!
These are wonderful tips, especially the second one! For everyone trying to get into Shakespeare, I’d also recommend SparkNotes’s NoFear Shakespeare graphic novel series (I read the Romeo and Juliet one which is really fun to read). I haven’t heard of the Manga version but I have to check it out! x
Thank you! I haven’t seen the Spark Notes version – time to check it out!
Loved this post! Starting with children’s classics is something I’ve never considered before! It’s been so long since I’ve heard any mention of Charlotte’s Web, so just seeing its title in the post made me happy and excited to see what other children’s classics are out there haha 😄.
There are so many great children’s classics! I actually really like A Little Princess and The Secret Garden (I’m pretty sure that The Painted Garden, which is inspired by the latter, can be a modern classic along with Ballet Shoes), and I’m sure there are a lot more that I’m missing!
I am so impressed/envious that you’re reading ‘Anna Karenina’ right now. I bought the book years ago and was, naturally, a little intimidated to start it. It’s so big! And it’s Russian fiction which tends to be dense and, at times, emotionally heavy! But I was in a time in my life where I was making a conscious effort to read more classics. However then, inadvertently, I had the ending spoiled for me (don’t worry! I won’t do anything like that to you!). So it was really hard to begin a 15,722 page book (or at least it FEELS like it’s that long when I look at it) when I already knew the ending. Still, it remains on my bookshelf…taunting me. I still hold out hope one day I’ll be able to muster the motivation to read it for real. Anyone who reads it now becomes a hero of mine.
I’m finding Anna Karenina a lot more readable compared to say, Les Miserables (reading about farming is a lot easier than reading about sewers, for one thing!) and it really helps to read things in a group!
Hope you get to it one day – so far I’m finding it a rewarding book!
I extra love your examples because ‘Les Miserables’ is another book I’ve always wanted to read but haven’t been brave enough to start. I’ve not even bought that one yet! So you’re proving quite the inspiration here. And I’m happy you’re enjoying it! I think your advice about reading it with others is really wise, too. I may have to look into that seriously if I ever want to tackle ‘Anna Karenina.’ Thank you for the insight :).
This are great sugggestions (even though the purist in me cringes at reading abridged versions–but not graphic novel versions, for some reason). I am glad you are enjoying Anna Karenina. I really liked it when I read it. I definitely think reading with a group can be very beneficial, especially for the more difficult classics. It has for me. That’s what helped me with Les Miserables and War and Peace, both I ended up thoroughly enjoying.
Reading children’s classics is probably my favorite of all three of the tips. I think people (me included) build the classics up to be difficult and intimidating, when they really don’t have to be. Children’s/Middle Grade/Young Adult classics often come across as more accessible–not to mention it’s easy to forget they can be classics too.
Thank you to Linda for recommending SparkNotes’s NoFear Shakespeare graphic novel series. I am not a fan of his plays, but I find the graphic novels more palatable. And a tip about Les Miserables–there’s 365 chapters, and the chapters aren’t terribly long. You can make it through in a year if you read a chapter a day. I finished it faster because I couldn’t help myself, but it might be easier for some to tackle a chapter at a time.
I think I would have enjoyed Les Miserables a lot more if I read it in a group! Tolstoy is actually very readable for more, but reading Anna Karenina again in a group makes it even more enjoyable!
Thank you for sharing those tips!
Really great advice! I especially like the suggestion that people try classics as part of a group- discussion really enhances the experience in my opinion
Thank you! Yes, I agree – exchanging ideas really help with understanding and reading motivation for me!