what is the definition of a classical book?

Answer 1

Northrop Frye, an eminent literary critic and theoretician, famously proposed that a "classic" is a book that bears repeated readings. Others have expressed this concept in the language of concealement/disclosure: a classic has some meaning to every reader but never exhausts its meaning -- the classic is necessarily ambiguous, but its ambiguity is rooted in universal truth.

Some classic books include Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury," Stendhal's "The Red and the Black," Proust's "Swann's Way," and Dostoyevky's "The Possessed." These are books which are relevant in many cultures and at many times, and which you can read again and again.

But then, the simpler answer to your question is: classics are books that people pretend to have read. They've usually been around for a while, but it only takes a generation or two before people start applying the word "classic" to certain books. I've heard "To Kill a Mockingbird" called a classic.

Answer 2

Everyone has their own definitions. Basically, it needs to be old, but how old is up to you. I consider anything old enough to be out of copyright protection, but nevertheless still worth reading, to be a classic. Perhaps some that are still copyright protected because the copyright is held by the estate of the writer would also qualify.

And there are some books, more recent, which it is clear will be remembered forever. They could be called classics (or perhaps "future classics"), even though they are rather new, because they made a large enough impact to be assured a place in literary history. I believe the Harry Potter series can be called a "classic" in that sense. It made enough sensation, being so very different from anything else being written at the time (although it has started a a trend), that we know it will be remembered always.

I also think books that are remembered because of the social influence they had, such as "Uncle Tom's Cabin," are classics whether or not you consider them great literature. And there are classics of their genre, such as "Riders of the Purple Sage" for westerns or "War of the Worlds" for science fiction, which are not all that well appreciated outside their genre.

Answer 3

Classic books..
I guess those would be the books which was written from at least the 19th century or prior to that time.. like Little Women, Pride & Prejudice, Vanity Fair.. etc. well, at least those are classic cos you won't find the same kind of setting or stories nowadays.. lol..

Answer 4

A Classical book has Ionic columns (snicker, snort).

Answer 5

accdg to my professor in world lit...

it is a classic if it:
- endures the test of time
- read by diff. people
- attained permanence
- universality (universal themes)
- written in a sublime language (highly select language)

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Answer 6

...The BIBLE...