100 greatest books
Posted by Jane Elizabeth on July 28, 1998 at 13:40:08:
If you've been following the brouhaha about the Modern Library list of 100 greatest English-language novels of the 20th century, you may appreciate an article in today's NY Times. The commentator feels that, were 19th century books included, most of the 20th century ones would be bumped. Dickens, Thackeray, Melville, Twain...and JA! Not only does he mention her three times, but he specifically asks how anyone could even compare "To the Lighthouse" and "P&P" and goes on to say (if memory serves; I left the paper at home) "such a list should include at least six each from Dickens and Austen." Since that must include all of JA's mature and complete books, he's certainly being generous! Not that we'll complain!
He ventures a guess that the optimism of the 19th century produced better (or at least more readable) novels, whereas the pessimism of our century produced, well, drearier fare.
- Last of the Mohicans Earlene 04:49:47 8/02/98
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- 100 greatest Art 15:17:29 7/29/98
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- a couple more... kATE 16:16:57 7/29/98
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- ...and Constanza 11:20:09 7/30/98
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- Let's hear it for the girls! Jane Elizabeth 17:16:30 7/29/98
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- 100 greatest Art 23:14:43 7/29/98
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- Criteria? Jane 22:36:20 7/30/98
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- Great books Constanza 08:57:27 7/31/98
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- criteria Art 22:29:06 7/31/98
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- criteria Art 22:29:06 7/31/98
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- Great books Constanza 08:57:27 7/31/98
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- Lewis Carroll Jane 22:31:58 7/30/98
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- I wholeheartedly agree. Very great books Art 14:11:43 7/31/98
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- Well, I am an heretic Constanza 16:56:50 7/31/98
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- you are not alone Tamee 11:21:27 8/09/98
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- I Weep for You, the Walrus said.. gkb 20:22:05 8/01/98
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- Actually.. Ayelet 23:53:51 8/05/98
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- Quite right... gkb 14:07:33 8/06/98
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- Quite right... gkb 14:07:33 8/06/98
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- Actually.. Ayelet 23:53:51 8/05/98
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- Alice Art 22:04:42 7/31/98
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- you are not alone Tamee 11:21:27 8/09/98
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- Well, I am an heretic Constanza 16:56:50 7/31/98
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- I wholeheartedly agree. Very great books Art 14:11:43 7/31/98
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- Criteria? Jane 22:36:20 7/30/98
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- 100 greatest Art 23:14:43 7/29/98
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- ...and Constanza 11:20:09 7/30/98
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- a couple more... kATE 16:16:57 7/29/98
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- some quotes Jane 22:45:08 7/28/98
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- Thanks, Jane Jane Elizabeth 13:30:24 7/29/98
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- Thanks, Jane Jane Elizabeth 13:30:24 7/29/98
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- Neglect Lynne 15:57:02 7/28/98
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- south african writers Becca M. 18:09:22 7/29/98
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- Australian writers... Kate 00:20:13 7/30/98
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- On the Beach (*poss spoilers*) Lynne 18:52:05 7/29/98
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- On the Beach and A Town Like Alice sanna 11:55:22 8/03/98
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- _On the Beach_ movie Earlene 04:07:21 8/01/98
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- Nevil Shute Constanza 14:27:14 7/30/98
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- On the Beach and A Town Like Alice sanna 11:55:22 8/03/98
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- Australian writers... Kate 00:20:13 7/30/98
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- Canadians Jane 22:51:07 7/28/98
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- Oh Canada Jane Elizabeth 13:32:39 7/29/98
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- What I tried to say... Barbara 23:45:39 7/28/98
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- And Alice Munro, too! (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 10:51:28 7/29/98
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- Lists... Lynne 02:58:05 7/29/98
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- And Alice Munro, too! (nfm) Marie-Bernadette 10:51:28 7/29/98
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- Oh Canada Jane Elizabeth 13:32:39 7/29/98
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- Margaret Atwood/ Canadian writers Barbara 17:21:32 7/28/98
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- south african writers Becca M. 18:09:22 7/29/98
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