What are the qualifications of a "classic" book?

Answer 1

Classic: A book which people praise and don't read. Mark Twain

Answer 2

The safest definition is probably that it continues to appeal to scholars enough to teach it and publish about it. If this is still happening after about 70 to 100 years, and the work still sells (even if just for students who have to buy it), then the book qualifies as a "classic."

Answer 3

1) Limited duration. Past a certain point, new books in a series tend to be regarded less as valid contributions to a classic series than as "another way for the author to make a few bucks." When this happens, the reputation of the series as a whole begins to suffer. As popular as they may be overall, Piers Anthony's "Xanth" series will never achieve the status of "classics" because the series will seemingly end only with the death of its author, and a good many formerly dedicated fans quit after the first 10 or so volumes. Had he stopped earlier, the refreshing universe he created might have gone down in history, but the latest, somewhat lackluster volumes drag down the way the entire series is viewed.

On the other hand, C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" represent a series that was planned to its completion, taken to that completion, and then ENDED. Certainly there must have been opportunity for Lewis to write additional sequels, but he declined to do so. "Harry Potter" would appear to have a limited duration built into it. Seven years at Hogwarts = seven novels. If Rowling can fight the temptation to continue the series past its natural end (no "Harry Potter and the CPAs of Doom") then the series' relative brevity should be a very positive factor for its continued popularity.

2) Wide Age appeal. The "classics" are the ones that the _parents_ define as classics, by and large, which means that they must appeal to the parents at least as much as the kids. They must be simple to understand for the younger reader, while at the same time not talk down to the older reader. Preferably they also offer some additional layer of meaning which the parent can pick up on while reading the book aloud to his or her children. As exemplars, look at "Alice in Wonderland", with its brilliant social satire and coined words and phrases - all of which will be lost on the younger reader, who is interested only in the characters and plot. Or "The Wizard of Oz", about which serious scholars have been arguing over alternate meanings for years. Many of the popular childrens' books spark fond memories in the parent, but don't really hold up that well upon re-reading. Try reading "Goodnight Moon" or "Pat the Bunny" every night for a month, if you don't believe me :-)

3) Memorable characters - both juvenile and adult. It's been widely stated that kids like books with strong and interesting juvenile characters. This is true, but the really popular ones usually have at least one adult character of significance as well. Where would "Peter Pan" be without Captain Hook? Or "Alice in Wonderland" without all of the adults that she runs into on her travels? Willy Wonka is arguably the single most interesting character in Dahl's series of books - Charlie Bucket is sympathetic, but a bit boring ultimately. Harry Potter passes this test with flying colors. From the teachers at Hogwarts to Voldemort and his allies, to the parents (and other guardians...) of Harry and his classmates, the adults are all as interesting and unique as the kids.

and finally

4) Fad Quotient. When was the last time you saw a Nancy Drew or Tom Swift novel holding your kids' attention? They had their period of popularity, and then more or less died. 5 years from now, Pokemon books will suffer the same fate. The more a book's popularity has to do with its being "cool" and part of a current fad, the faster it will be dropped like a rock when the fad dies. Unquestionably Harry Potter is hot right now, but that surge in popularity will not last forever. Eventually interest will settle into a more stable pattern, and when that happens, will Harry and company still command attention?

I think the answer is yes. With interesting characters, themes that are universal and timeless, and a basic premise that readers will always love (who doesn't want to be able to do magic? Or for that matter to rise above one's enemies and tormenters and prove one's worth?) this is a series of books which I think will last for a good long time. A classic? Not yet. But definitely a classic in the making.

Answer 4

www.sparknotes.com

look in the "classic books"

All those r in the classic Book stuff