But that <Book> is the ultimate

[jackfaire]

My English teacher rather than forcing the "classics" on us would make us read books we could relate to.

[MaggieTheCat]

My friend, an English teacher, always surprises people when she tells them she doesn't like The Wizard of Oz (any incarnation of it.)

[Lace Neil Singer]

Er, if you think Shakespeare is bad... then read some Chaucer.

[AdminAssistant]

Shakespeare while having great storylines the original wording is thick and difficult to read without cliff notes.

I'm afraid I will have to disagree with you here. The beauty of Shakespeare lies in the language and the perfection of iambic pentameter or "mighty line." His storylines are all recycled from history, mythology, and Italian novellas.

There are only a few Shakespearean plays I like: Hamlet (best thing written in the English language, IMO), Julius Caesar, Richard III, Two Gentlemen of Verona....I absolutely despise Romeo and Juliet. Bleh. I find most of the comedies trite and boring. Especially Twelfth Night. The Reduced Shakespeare Company does a fantastic bit where they reduce all of the comedies into one play.

Overall, I prefer the French Romantics (Hugo especially) to Shakespeare. Oh, Ruy Blas....."I am but an earthworm in love with a star" *sigh*

I actually haven't read many of the 'great' novels, since for the last 8 years I've been mostly concerned with things written in dialogue. I may not know Jane Austen, but I can damn sure quote Tennessee Williams!

[jackfaire]

There are some books,plays etc. that when you simply, not bashing, insulting, or mocking but just say, "I didn't like it" people act like you just burned the American Flag while defiling George Washington's grave.

Most common books that get me this treatment.

I didn't like Dune. I am told for a geek this is apparently Blasphemy.

I thought Tom Sawyer was good but didn't like anything else that Twain wrote, oh and he wrote under the name Twain I don't think it makes people sound smarter when they insist on using Clemens to show they know what his real name was.

Shakespeare while having great storylines the original wording is thick and difficult to read without cliff notes.

Anyone else ever get this people jumping on you because how dare you not like such and such?