Yes, but as you would discover in university English departments, the conventional canon is being destroyed and lesser figure are cluttering the so-called "good books" syllabi for literature courses. For example, an English major at my alma maters can earn B.A. and M.A. without required reading in either Tolstoy or Chaucer. Shocking, ain't it! BTW, your posting sent me to my bookshelves where I have pulled out _How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading_ by Mortimer Adler and Charles van Doren (2 elegant dinosaurs representing everything the current English department faculties resent and ignore); I think my reading has been decided for the next several evenings. Thanks!
Of course, defining "good books" can be a problem.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think we can all agree on some, like Anna Karenina or The Canterbury Tales.
ReplyDeleteYes, but as you would discover in university English departments, the conventional canon is being destroyed and lesser figure are cluttering the so-called "good books" syllabi for literature courses. For example, an English major at my alma maters can earn B.A. and M.A. without required reading in either Tolstoy or Chaucer. Shocking, ain't it! BTW, your posting sent me to my bookshelves where I have pulled out _How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading_ by Mortimer Adler and Charles van Doren (2 elegant dinosaurs representing everything the current English department faculties resent and ignore); I think my reading has been decided for the next several evenings. Thanks!
ReplyDelete