every classic I've ever read

Summary

In this video, the speaker humorously reflects on their personal reading journey through various classic literature works. From high school readings like 'Of Mice and Men' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to more complex novels like 'Anna Karenina' and 'Crime and Punishment,' they share their evolving thoughts on each. With candid and self-deprecating humor, the speaker discusses what resonated with them, what didn't, and their plans to revisit certain books. They also touch on the notion of what qualifies as a 'classic,' offering a mix of insights, confessions, and humorous anecdotes on their literary experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is focused on behaving well and ensuring that their audience takes them seriously when discussing classics.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the process of recalling the many classics they’ve read, mentioning that the list initially seemed short but quickly grew.
• 😀 The speaker offers thoughts on books they’ve read in high school, including 'Of Mice and Men,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and 'Ulysses,' and how their perceptions of these books evolved over time.
• 😀 The speaker mentions the evolution of their reading preferences, citing their initial dislike of John Steinbeck and then enjoying 'East of Eden.'
• 😀 The speaker recalls reading 'Anna Karenina' and describes it as one of the best books they’ve read, noting their appreciation for Tolstoy's writing.
• 😀 There is a contrast between the speaker's enjoyment of 'War and Peace' and their struggle with 'The Brothers Karamazov,' preferring Tolstoy’s style.
• 😀 The speaker shares the experience of trying to finish 'Crime and Punishment' multiple times without success, expressing a desire to give it another try.
• 😀 The speaker discusses books they disliked or abandoned, such as 'Portrait of a Lady' by Henry James and 'Catch-22,' while still intending to revisit them in the future.
• 😀 The speaker appreciates classic authors like Oscar Wilde and Daphne du Maurier, citing 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and 'Rebecca' as notable favorites.
• 😀 The speaker provides a list of honorable mention classics, sharing mixed opinions on books like 'The Secret History' and 'The Hobbit,' noting their personal preferences and connections to these works.

Q & A

What is the narrator's approach in presenting this video about Classics?

The narrator aims to present themselves as calm, cool, and collected in order to be taken seriously while discussing their thoughts on classic literature.

Why did the narrator initially resist reading more John Steinbeck books after 'Of Mice and Men'?

After reading 'Of Mice and Men' in high school and not particularly enjoying it, the narrator swore off reading any more of John Steinbeck's works, only to later enjoy 'East of Eden.'

What is the narrator's opinion on 'Ulysses' by James Joyce?

The narrator initially hated 'Ulysses' during high school, believing there should be one definitive interpretation of a book. However, they have since changed their perspective and are open to revisiting it.

How does the narrator feel about Russian classics, particularly those by Tolstoy?

The narrator greatly admires Tolstoy's writing, considering him their favorite Russian author. They highlight their love for 'Anna Karenina' and mention having struggled with 'War and Peace' and 'The Brothers Karamazov.'

What was the narrator's experience with 'The Brothers Karamazov' by Dostoevsky?

The narrator began reading 'The Brothers Karamazov' but found it less enjoyable compared to Tolstoy's works. They found themselves comparing the two authors, which hindered their enjoyment, and decided to set the book aside.

What is the narrator’s stance on 'The Great Gatsby'?

The narrator reads 'The Great Gatsby' in high school and enjoyed it, but not in the overly romanticized way some others do. They express a desire to revisit it with a more mature perspective.

What classic works by Jane Austen does the narrator mention, and what are their thoughts on them?

The narrator mentions 'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austen, expressing a dislike for it when reading the audiobook version. However, they are open to giving Jane Austen's works another chance in the future.

What is the narrator's opinion on Edgar Allan Poe?

The narrator has read a significant portion of Poe’s short stories and expresses a deep appreciation for him. Although they don't consider him a classic in the traditional sense, they acknowledge his lasting impact on literature.

Which classic book does the narrator consider both 'angsty' and well-written?

The narrator considers 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath to be a well-written classic that is both angsty and engaging, expressing excitement to reread it.

How does the narrator feel about books they read in high school, such as 'Huckleberry Finn' and 'The Scarlet Letter'?

The narrator reflects on books like 'Huckleberry Finn' and 'The Scarlet Letter' with ambivalence. They don't plan on rereading 'The Scarlet Letter' but are unsure whether they would revisit 'Huckleberry Finn' in the future.