I recently reviewed A Room With a View and in that connection, a recurring question popped up in my head. How do you review a classic? Below I’ve listed a few issues, which I’ve often thought about.
Context
E. M. Forster was considered as being ahead of his time in terms of his themes such as feminism and equality.
However, when reading A Room With A View in 2021, Lucy doesn’t appear particularly independent or feministic. Even if I understand she might have been just that compared to 1908 standards, does that make me appreciate the novel more? I am not certain. Surely, a classic has become a classic because it still speaks to us today. If I can only appreciate the book, if I see it through a 1908 lens, is it still a good book? I don’t dispute that the perception of a novel in a historical context is part of the full picture when evaluating a classic. But I think the effect on my rating is limited.
Originality
When reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None as a child, it made a huge impression on me. I am sure, I almost fell off the chair when reading the conclusion.
Recently, I saw Nicki talking about this conclusion in a review: Well I must confess I was rather disappointed, and actually think it’s been done a lot better by other authors since this book was published in 1934.
I was devastated. Really?! But of course she is right. In modern thrillers, unreliable narrators, isolated locations and a lot of the other Christie tropes are so common that they barely trigger a lifted eyebrow. However, when I read it as my first ever mystery thriller, it was groundbreaking. Would it have the same effect if I read it today? Probably not.
Our reviews will always reflect our background, experience and even our mood. And after recovering from the shock of first seeing Nicki’s view on one of my favourite mysteries, I totally get it. Originality can be appreciated, but a classic needs to bring something else to the table as well.
Changes in norms and political correctness
Many of us look back on the tv show Friends with fond memories. Some of the younger generation, on the other hand, find it offensive with its lack of diversity, insensitive treatment of trans people, misunderstood feminism, etc. etc.
Our norms for what is acceptable change all the time, which may potentially make the language or behaviour in certain classics appear completely off the mark, even if it was perfectly normal at the time and place described in the novel.
But should we deduct from our ratings of a classic because the language or attitudes can’t live up to modern standards of political correctness? Or should we even stop publishing classics, which include offensive phrases or behaviour? I don’t think there is an easy answer to that. There are definitely cases, where it makes sense to stop publishing books (see Jee Wan’s post about Dr. Seuss here). But generally I prefer enlightenment as opposed to indoctrination. If an author highlights a behaviour which really took place and was characteristic for the cohort they were writing about I am as a starting point fine with that. We need to learn from our mistakes in the past. But how can we learn, if we erase the more ugly part of our past from the literature?
Of course, it’s a different story, if I feel the author is actively promoting offensive views or behaviour. That would certainly deduct from my reading experience and rating.
I could go on about this topic, because I think there are so many angles to it. However, I am sure we readers will never agree. What some readers find offensive and would mark down, others will see as an interesting and educational reminder of how wrong we sometimes get it.
These were some of my thoughts on reviewing the classics. Have you ever thought about these questions? Is it obvious to you what the answers should be? Feel free to let me know in the comments.😊
You know, there are actual literary criticism approaches. I took a whole class on it. One approach does take into account the time the book was written and analyzing it that way. I always naturally tend to that approach myself at least in part. Interesting post! ❤️
That is so interesting! One of the fun things about blogging is getting these small facts or sneak peeks into the world of literature. Even if I haven’t had the urge to study literature myself, I can see how it must provide an extra dimension when reviewing. Literary criticism approaches sound particularly interesting, I might see if I can find a good book on that topic. Thanks Tessa! 😊
Brilliant question, Stargazer💜 One of the things I’ve always done in deciding on a classic is to gain understanding as to why there was/is critical acclaim for the book. I use that as context for assessing the story. Like you, I read And Then There Were None as a child and was shocked at the time. However, whenever I read anything by Christie these days, I recognize that she was probably first in how she structured the mystery.
Thanks Jonetta! 😊 I agree that with a classic it’s a good idea to search out information about the reasons for the critical acclaim. Normally, I try to read a bit about the author as well. Don’t get me wrong, I recognise the influence of Agatha Christie as well, but I would never read her books just because she has influenced more recent writers. I want a good story as well! Luckily, I think most of her books can easily stand the test of time. But I also understand, that her books may not always have quite the same effect today on first time readers.
Great points! I’m forever grateful I started with Christie as she laid the foundation for the genre.
Absolutely, the Queen of Crime!
A good and interesting point. Recently I read The Golden Notebook, a feminist classic but was struck by how white, middleclass and straight it is. I was pleased to have read it because it made me realise how feminism has moved on and actually has made me want to read more from the ’70’s so that I can start to look at the history of it. I suppose The Golden Notebook is still a classic because it’s the starting point for discussion. . .
I guess many of the classics we read are dominated by white middleclass. Which is of course a reflection of what was being published. I am not familiar with The Golden Notebook, but I agree with you – it’s certainly interesting to see how feminism has moved on from the 70s. However, for me that point wouldn’t be enough to make me interested in reading a book. On top of the historical perspective I also want a good story. Thanks Jane for your input!
I think you just got the point. When reading a classic (as any other book) I compare it with listening a person, there, trying to have a conversation. Probably I do that because I’m a psychologist, but helps me truly enjoy classics: understanding each book have their own context (time, places, beliefs, costumes, morals, politics, etc), and their own motivations for sharing what they want to express, makes possible for me to enjoy the act of reading them, wether I agree or not with them. And That’s the rich part of reading, the part where we get to learn something new.
I like that approach about trying to have a conversation very much. I think (hope) I am very tolerant reading about characters who have different beliefs, morals, politics, etc.
Actually, I’ve thought about that a lot recently (might even write another post). I’ve seen several booktubers talking about how they got so annoyed with the protagonist in The Fell (who breaches lockdown rules during Covid crisis and brings risk to other people) that they marked down their rating of the book. Whereas I might get annoyed with people in real life who acted like that, it wouldn’t affect my enjoyment of the book. But I guess it may depend on how passionate you are about a specific topic. Thanks so much for your interesting contribution to the discussion!
Great post, you’ve highlighted three really difficult aspects of reviewing classics. I’ve thought about the originality issue a lot, because most classics have inspired so many books, movies, etc. they seem old and stale now. Agatha Christie is a perfect example! I’ve also struggled with issues of prejudice in books, and I think there’s a difference (though not a clear one) between outright prejudice and outdated attitudes. Context is important, but to some extent an author chooses to be racist or anti-semitic regardless of what time they are writing in. On the other hand, we can also acknowledge where an author has grown and adjusted their values over time, like Dr. Seuss.
“but to some extent an author chooses to be racist or anti-semitic regardless of what time they are writing in”. Yes, that is very true, I can’t say I disagree. The norms and attitudes at that specific time isn’t an excuse as such, but there are so many blurred lines. For instance, authors may include racist characters in their books without being racists themselves. I would say that in many cases, you can tell the difference, but not always. It’s certainly positive to see cases, where an author has grown and adjusted their values over time. Thanks so much for your insightful comment!
Your post got me thinking–not just about classics, but about older books. My favorite book of all time is “Mixed Marriage” by Elizabeth Cadell first published in 1963. What makes it so special and so funny is her characterization. The family interactions and personalities are timeless. It could be my mom or my uncle she’s writing about.
I also love an oldie “Jim the Conqueror” by Peter B. Kyne. It’s a fun read with great characters. Liking this book, I decided to try another by him. The second book was so blatantly racist, I threw it in the garbage which is something I’ve never done before. Even giving him the credit of the times he lived in couldn’t excuse it.
Should we stop publishing old books/classics because they are out of tune with modern times or don’t meet today’s stadards of political correctness? My answer would be no. We can learn a lot about about the developement of society by reading these books.
Side note: I don’t read mysteries, but did decide to read “And Then There Were None” a couple of years ago and loved it.
I absolutely sympathise with your thoughts on Mixed Marriage. My favourite type of classics (Virginia Woolf is a good example) are the ones with these archetype characters, which are completely recognisable today even if they were written many decades ago.
As far as I remember, I haven’t come across a novel which was so blatantly racist, but I can’t rule out, I would throw it in the garbage as well, if it happened. But yes, generally I agree about continuing to publish old books even if they don’t live up to modern standards. It’s a question I think about regularly, though.
I am so glad to hear you enjoyed And Then There Were None. Even if the tropes have been done over and over again since Christie, it’s still a solid and clever story.
Interesting post. I do find classics more difficult to review. I definitely think I have a pre-conceived idea of “classics” when I read them that because they’re “classics”, they’re instantly good book and I kind of force myself to find good things even if I’m not really enjoying it. It makes me persevere with the book more because I think “if everyone loves this, then I have to find something good” and sometimes that’s just not the case because we all have different likes/dislikes. I think that after reading so many classics, I feel like I just know what I enjoy and what I don’t enjoy but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good or bad classic. There’s so many different classic books out there that there is a classic for everyone.
That is a great point. I guess to some extent we all have this perception of classics being good books one way or another. However, I don’t feel obliged to like a classic, as you say we all have different taste in books. But I sometimes feel bad writing a negative review of a book which is loved by so many people. Crime and Punishment was a good example. I really expected to and wanted to love it, but it just didn’t happen. I don’t often DNF, but I am a lot more stubborn when it comes to classics, exactly for the reason you mention. After all I gave up on both Mrs Dalloway and Rebecca in my first attempt, but ended up really enjoying both.
What a great post! Very interesting. When reviewing a classic I do take into account its influence other writers and that it may be close to some readers’ hearts, even if I end up not liking that classic, as there are undoubtedly valid reasons why it’s considered a classic. As for possible offensive material, we have to consider the book a product of its era and also separate art from the artist.
Thanks! 😊 Yes, I think the influence of other writers is an important aspect of a classic, but I don’t think that is enough to make me interested in a book. I also want a good story. Very true that a book is a product of its era. But can you entirely separate the art from the artist? I doubt Harry Potter fans stopped loving the books, when all the controversy around J. K. Rowling happened, but I am sure some people stopped buying her books as a statement.
Personally I do separate art from the artist. I don’t like J K Rowling as a person but I love the fiction she created. I don’t boycott / cancel authors and I don’t approve of those who put pressure on others to. Moreover, the further we go back in time, the more likely it is that pretty much every famous author had views considered objectionable today and no doubt authors published today who are totally acceptable will not be in the future.
No, I don’t like the cancel culture either, I think there are far better ways of tackling if you strongly disagree with certain viewpoints or behaviour. However, I am less certain about the art vs. artist issue. Perhaps, it’s less of a concern for people who are long gone (although apparently historical people are being cancelled as well…). But for people who are still alive, I find it more tricky. As a consumer, I make a statement. I don’t want to buy goods from companies who utilise child labour, test make up on animals, etc. That is by far the easiest way we ordinary people have to try to change things, without much of an effort. Similarly, I wouldn’t want to support the business of an author, whose actions or views I strongly disapprove of. Anyway, I think it’s a difficult area and I am always pleased to hear views and arguments for both sides, so thanks so much for adding your opinion! 😊
I’m not sure that I agree that a classic needs to speak to us today – I reckon part of reading classics is to make us more aware of what was seen as “normal, “advanced”, etc at the time. This is why I tend to like to read an edition with a scholarly intro – scholarly in terms of the writer’s knowledge rather than style. It puts the book into its context, both social and literary. And no, if society ever decides to stop printing old books because some minority decides to be offended by what someone long dead said two hundred years ago, then I’ll leave that society. I don’t like modern intellectual dictatorships any more than old-fashioned military ones!
Well, I guess it’s all about what we want from a book. Mostly, I don’t read classics for different reasons than more recent books. I just want a good story. It’s definitely a great bonus if I learn something new, either about a time period or about how the author has influenced other people in their own time and in more recent time. But if I fundamentally don’t enjoy the story, the other stuff isn’t enough for me to give a high rating. So for me it’s important that the story still speaks to me today. I’ve actually given mediocre ratings to several classics, including Crime and Punishment, which is considered quite an important work. Other people, who give higher weight to context, may rate a book higher than me, even if we enjoyed the story equally.
Haha, yes I do agree about dictatorships, although I am probably less black and white than you on this topic. I follow a variety of booktubers and book bloggers incl. people of colour, homosexual people and people with disabilities and it does affect me when they talk about how uncomfortable certain books make them feel and how they worry that these books may affect the opinion of other readers. Also, it affects me when parents of young children in the impressionable age talk about their concerns when lots of racism is hidden in presumably fun and innocent children’s books.
Excellent post! This is indeed a tricky matter. I always review classics with fear and trembling.
I’ll be curious to know what you think of my review of The Invention of Morel (1940), that will be live on November 16. Even more tricky that it’s really hard to talk about the book without giving out spoilers…
Thanks so much! 😊 I am exactly the same when reviewing classics. When I started my blog, I didn’t write traditional reviews of classics at all. Instead, I did alternative reviews, which tended to be less serious. Because, it’s so difficult. I will look out for your review of The Invention of Morel!
I’m always interested to know why some books become classics and others don’t. For me it’s always about how memorable a book is, am I still thinking about the plot long after I’ve finished reading it.
I really like the criteria about being memorable, that makes a lot of sense to me. On my very long list of posts I would like to write (when I get the time) is a post about memorability and how that affects our view on a book. Strangely enough, I don’t always find the books, I enjoy the most whilst reading being the most memorable ones.
You’ve made a really good point about the memorable books not always being enjoyable that I wish I’d thought of!
I’m already looking forward to your post about memorability, and being prompted to think about certain books and why they are memorable 🙂
I actually look forward to writing that post as well, I’ve been thinking about it for a while. But with my impulsive approach to blogging, who knows when it will happen! 🤔
Yes, an interesting post. I’m generally interested in the attitudes that prevail in a book as a product of the time in which it was written, unless it’s downright offensive. And some books seem to be classics in their own time, though not in the years that follow – of course I can’t think of an example now! A thought provoking post.
Thanks Margaret! 😊 Yes, I agree with you. I guess the problem is, we all have different ideas of what constitutes “downright offensive”. I am sure there are examples of classics no longer being considered classics after a while. However, even the concept of a classic is relatively vague, so it’s probably difficult to pinpoint exactly when that happens. It’s a very interesting topic, though.
Fascinating post! “How do you review a classic?” My answer is “I don’t” (normally), I read much much more classics than I review and that simply because I find it so hard to review them and often I just can’t find the right words. As for originality and And Then There Were None, I can’t say I agree with Nicki. I mean, I understand how the ending there may not strike people as ground-breaking now because they have seen and read so many similar works but these works were undoubtedly influenced by Christie’s original book and to say now that it is “not so good” is like saying that book 1984 is so predictable and therefore “bad” because we have seen some recent dystopian film with similar ideas or to say that Anna Karenina or The Great Gatsby are unoriginal because I just watched this or that Brazilian series that has a similar plot. That’s ludicrous. I am just curious what “other things” And Then There Were None “could have brought to the table”? For me, Christie’s work will always remain “original” no matter how many “derivative” works there will be.
Thanks! 😀 I have been very reluctant to review classics as well. When I started blogging, I did alternative reviews, which tended to be more lighthearted than normal reviews. Recently, I have made a few attempts of proper reviews, but I still find it very difficult (hence this post).
I don’t think there is any doubt about Christie being original (as I understood it, that wasn’t what Nicki was saying either) but I do understand that her books may be less impactful for people who have read a lot of modern crime thrillers (even if many of these are inspired by concepts originally introduced by Christie). My point was just, that if you don’t particularly enjoy the story or find it has been done better by other authors, should you give a book a high rating, just because it’s original? I would tend to say no. On the other hand, I am sure, I would still enjoy And Then There Were None (which is by the way an example of a book, whose title had to give way for political correctness), because fundamentally I think it’s a good story. Thanks for a great comment, Diana!
You made some great points there, and I especially like the last one, about offensive content and political correctness. Of course, what’s seen as normal and correct changes all the time but that definitely doesn’t mean we should just burn or stop reading the books from the past that don’t live up to the standards of today. I think you put it quite well — how can we learn if we don’t have this referrence? So I generally like to always keep the time period in mind as I read, and that really helps.
I tend to struggle with reviewing the classics because I feel like everything worthwhile has already been said by other people, though, that’s my personal struggle 😄
No, you are not alone, struggling to review classics, because you feel that everything has already been said. I feel exactly the same! Add to that all my other points and it’s a wonder I ever dare to review a classic! 😆 Yes, keeping in mind the time period helps a lot and I am glad you agree with my viewpoint. It’s a topic I am always keen to discuss and I keep returning to it because I don’t think it’s black and white. Thanks for your input to the discussion!
Honestly, me too, I’ve done it maybe once or twice and it was a struggle 😆 it’s cool that you started this discussion, so fun to see all the different opinions!
Haha, maybe this post will give the ultimate classics review anxiety and you will never see another one from me! 😂
Hahah, I hope that won’t be the case! 😂
Me too! 😁
I think a context-oriented reading is always a helpful approach to studying the classics. Personally, what I find most important is to understand why the book has become a classic in the first place. Why has this book stood the test of time? But in the end, a review is always a highly subjective piece of writing so I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do it.
It’s interesting that you are using the phrase “studying”. I agree, if you are actually studying a book, context is very important. But is it possible that the criteria we apply when “studying” are different compared to when we just read for entertainment? Or ought these to be the same? When I read classics it’s mostly for the same reasons as I read contemporary literature: to get a good story. Even if I may enjoy seeing the novel in a historical context that part isn’t enough for me. I also want a good story. But as you say, reviews are highly subjective and I am sure other reviewers would have a completely different approach. Thanks for a great comment!
It’s a very good question.
To me, context is key. But also the sense of universality of problems. Let’s take Antigone, or Iliad, or Shakespeare. The sensitivities have changed, the problems morphed, and even the solutions might be different today, but they all still exist, and are still important to us. Familial duty, war, conflicts of power, etc., they are still very much pertinent and vital to our own understanding of the world. I need to feel that the classic has this core of truth, be it psychological, sociological, mythological – a form of realism that transcends its context.
But yes, there’s also the problem of being the first and only discovering certain tricks and ways of communication – like Christie, or Conan Doyle. The fact that today this can be written better (? I have my doubts, actually ;)) doesn’t detract from their achievements, at least in my book. The sheer ingenuity of their discoveries and skill is enough for me.
I am so glad you mention the phrase “universality”. To me that is key for a classic. I am sure, we will still read Tolkien in decades (or centuries) to come, because themes such as good vs evil, friendship, honour, overcoming yourself, etc are just so universal across time and place. It doesn’t have to be universal themes, I also think that universal characters or observations on humanity (e.g. Virginia Woolf) or universal wit/humour (e.g. Oscar Wilde) may make the cut.
I do admire Christie’s originality, but assuming that others would do it equally well or better than her (like you, I doubt it it’s possible) would I give a higher rating to her books because she did it first? I am not sure about that.
Probably, what has made certain crime authors classics are a combination of originality, good plots and writing. I have never studied literature, but I wouldn’t be surprised, if there were other authors, who came up with very original ideas, but didn’t manage to incorporate them in such a strong story as Christie / Doyle and hence weren’t remembered for long.
You have a good discussion going on here. I guess I agree with those who say it’s best to try to understand the classic in the historical & social context of its time. But of course you needn’t feel obligated to like it if it doesn’t speak to you now. I can still get something out of books that were written long ago and even like them … even if they’re not politically fully correct now. Though perhaps I most often read contemporary fiction over classics … since they speak to me more or are more readable at times.
Thanks Susan, I have absolutely loved all the brilliant comments. That is one of my favourite things about blogging. Yes, I agree one should try to understand a classic in its historical context. Which is probably why we can enjoy classics, which are lacking in political correctness. But what I still struggle with is the question of the effect on my rating. If I don’t enjoy a book, will its influence or its progressive views back in time make me rate it higher than I would have otherwise? I guess the answer may differ from book to book, but in most cases I would say it has limited effect. However. I am sure, I will keep pondering this question. Thanks so much for your input to the discussion.
I really enjoyed your thoughtfulness here, Stargazer. It made me give this some thought. I think I rate classics with the same emotionality as any books I read, with some forgiveness for the time period/datedness and things that might be forbidden now; I take into account that context. At the end of the day, I’m looking for a book that makes me feel strongly about its characters with storytelling I can fall right into, whether it’s The Canterbury Tales, The Odyssey, or my dearest favorite of all, Great Expectations.
Thanks Jennifer. It actually sounds like we are very much on the same page regarding this. Of course I look at context, which helps to give a better perspective of the novel, but ultimately I want good storytelling and interesting characters no matter if the story is written today or 100 years ago. Oh, I have Great Expectations on my Kindle, I really should get to it soon! I haven’t read The Odyssey, but I adore The Iliad!
This is by way of a thank you for a fascinating post with some equally insightful and thought-provoking comments on the thread. I saved it to come back and comment when circumstances allowed but really, the time has passed. It’s such an interesting topic and one I think about every so often and will not doubt do so again. Thanks for a great experience with this post, Stargazer! 😊
Aww, that is kind of you to say Sandra. I too really enjoyed all the insightful comments. It truly is a topic I’ve thought about quite a lot, so it was great to 1) get structure on my thoughts and 2) have my own views challenged. Hopefully, there will be more discussion posts in the future.
I just read a quote related to Italo Calvino that says: “A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say”. I thought it appropriate. 😊
I love that quote! It really is a good way of describing a classic. Thanks for letting me (and other readers) know!