Why Do Many People Still Read Classic Literature?

Classic literature remains a vital part of many readers' journeys, with authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, H. G. Wells, Dickens, Tolstoy, Emily Bronte, Franz Kafka, Dostoevsky, Joseph Conrad, Agatha Christie, Lewis Carroll, and Virginia Woolf among the most cherished. However, it's important to clarify that while these authors are celebrated, not all of their works were penned more than two hundred years ago. Jane Austen, for instance, wrote her masterpieces in the early 19th century, and other authors like Dostoevsky and Woolf belong to the 19th and early 20th centuries.

It is also common for people to confuse the term 'classic' with 'novel.' Some of the authors you mentioned, such as Samuel Johnson, James Boswell, Edward Gibbon, Adam Smith, John Aubrey, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Robert Burton, the Countess of Newcastle, Sir Thomas Browne, and Aphra Behn, wrote a variety of works including non-fiction. However, their fiction has earned them immortality in the literary world. Publishers consistently republish these authors' books, indicating that readers continue to purchase and read them, reinforcing the notion that such works remain relevant and beloved.

My Personal Experience with Classics

Over the course of my adult years, I read or attempted to read books by numerous authors. Notably, I found it challenging to finish works by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Woolf. On the other hand, authors like Austen, Dickens, Conrad, and Christie captured my attention with their narratives. Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass were undoubtedly philosophically engaging for me, as they introduced metaphysical concepts and themes.

The Financial and Popularity of Classic Collections

The Penguin Classics and similar collections have proven to be commercially successful, with a steady demand for these books. It is clear that these classics are bought and sold, indicating that people do indeed read them. However, the question of whether they are actively read outside of educational requirements often remains unanswered.

Young readers, particularly those in high school, are often required to study and read classic literature. This often leads to an initial resistance or disdain for these texts, as they can seem outdated or difficult to relate to. Nevertheless, as I discovered through my own experience, many classic works are read at a young age, but as adults we often revisit them with a fresh perspective and increased understanding.

Classics as Timeless Gems

There is a reason why classic literature remains relevant. These works often transcend their specific historical contexts and speak to universal human experiences. As an adult or even in my teenage years, I found these books to be deeply insightful and thought-provoking. Classic literature frequently captures lifestyles and emotions that differ from our own, making them a rich source of learning and enlightenment. In contrast, ordinary books, without significant literary merit, tend to fade into obscurity.

While literary memory can occasionally be inaccurate, it often accurately reflects the value and significance of these literary works. The enduring popularity of classics underscores their importance in shaping human thought and culture.