Just a thought... Out of novels written in the last 25 or so years, which ones do you think will stand the test of time and be considered classics in the future? Also, why do you think so? Another thought for you... I was thinking earlier about the "classic" novels of the past and wondered how they would do if they had been published today. I can't imagine a book like "Catcher in the Rye" for example catching people's attention if it had came out today. I can see it easily slipping through the cracks and becoming just another novel by unknown author. Which really is a crazy thought if you think about... How exactly does a novel become a classic anyway? What constitutes a great novel? Sales? Popularity? I figure classic novels from the past must have been just another book back when it came out... What do you guys think?
This has been moved. Better in the 'Book' area. In answer to your question, I'm not comfortable saying. I really hope Thomas Pynchon's novels will be remembered and become classics; and Salman Rushdie's, and Ian McEwen's novels.
I think Rushdie's Midnight's Children and The Satanic Verses will be classics, the latter mostly because of the controversy surrounding it. I would also include Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow and The Crying of Lot 49. There are a handful of McCarthy's works that will be considered classics as well (with Blood Meridian leading the pack). Works by writers like McEwan and Roth will probably be considered classics, but IMO they won't be as popular as the works I've mentioned above. Of course, it's hard to predict such things, so I may be completely wrong here. Only time will tell. If you want to know my thoughts on how/why something becomes a classic and/or great novel, check out my posts in the thread titled "Standards of literature."
That is very true. It is hard to pick what might one day be considered a classic, but I'm pretty confidant in saying Seamus Heaney will be remembered. In some circles he's already considered a part of the western 'canon'.
I agree about Heaney. He's basically the most accomplished poet we have today. I would also include Robert Haas.
-A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness -The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak -The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini In terms of Fantasy, I'd suspect that George R.R. Martin will become a "classic", much like Tolkien/Lewis. I also agree that Seamus Heaney will definitely become a classic poet. That man is amazing.
-A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness -The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak -The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini In terms of Fantasy, I'd suspect that George R.R. Martin will become a "classic", much like Tolkien/Lewis. I also agree that Seamus Heaney will definitely become a classic poet. That man is amazing.
Harry Potter only remembered because of its immense popularity. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon Atonement Life of Pi
Assuming the man doesn't die before completing his series, GRR Martin. I am a huge fan of many classic fantasies, but Martins books are simply a step up. I not only think the books will be classic, the characters will be household names.
