I am a teen writer, and I read many classics my favourites being Northanger Abbey, The Picture of Dorian Gray and anything by Tolkien, however I notice that people my age don't seem to respect them as much. I'd like to hear some peoples opinion on this as to whether it is ok just to let people my age miss these incredible books or whether an effort should be made to make them more available. What does everyone think?
It wasn't until I was much older, I could really appreciate the classics. Building a library of them but just need to get round to finding time to read them.
Hi Lily.
Great question.
Classics should be found by the individual and not forced. My son read Silas Marner at school and it completely put him off. It was like trying to make him eat brussel sprouts, they might have been good for him, but it didn't mean he was going to like them.
I don't think it's wise to force any type of book on teenagers, they have a mind of their own to choose what they feel they want to read, and I would rather see them reading anything than not at all.
As to availability, you can find them anywhere, from charity shops, car boot sales, book stores, the internet and even the library. The classics will always be there waiting for them when they are ready.
I'm just out of my teens (well, sort of, I'm 24!) and the only reason I read classics was due to the badgering of my English teachers and Grandad! As a teacher myself, I don't think there is a lack of respect regarding classics, just a general ignorance about their merits!
I would like to see a big push on classics in Secondary schools, maybe giving poor old Shakespeare a rest for a term?