Back to the Classics

It’s been a while since I updated here; I’ve been on a whirlwind tour of Istanbul and Athens (more on that later) so I’ve got plenty to tell, but first I thought I’d share the titles for the other challenge I’m attempting this year. The Back to the Classics challenge looks a little less daunting than Classics Club, so I’ve chosen seven categories to tackle, most of which are also on my Classics Club list. So, without further ado…

Back to the Classics Challenge

1. A 20th Century Classic – Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh Completed; review here.
2. A 19th Century Classic – Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, by Lord Byron Completed; review here.
3. A Classic by a Woman Author – Castle Rackrent, by Maria Edgeworth Completed; review here.
4. A Classic in Translation – Lysistrata, by Aristophanes Completed; review here.
5. A Classic About War – A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens Swapped for All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque. Completed; review here.
6. A Classic by an Author Who Is New To You – A Sentimental Journey, by Laurence Sterne Completed; review here.

Optional Categories:

1.  A Classic That’s Been Adapted Into a Movie or TV Series – Mary Poppins, by P.L. Travers Completed; review here.
2. Extra Fun Category: Write a Review of the Movie or TV Series adapted from Optional Category [Above] – Disney’s Mary Poppins.

I’m ashamed to say I’ve never seen Mary Poppins, so I thought I’d pick that title for the optional category so that I have an excuse to (finally) watch the movie. Strictly speaking, too, A Tale of Two Cities is not about war; but as the rules say that events like the French Revolution are acceptable for this category, I went ahead and selected Dickens. I’ve already started on two titles on this list, so stay tuned for reviews!

EDIT 10/12/2014: I’ve decided to swap my ‘Classic About War’. Instead of Dickens, I’ll be reading Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, which is a little more appropriate, I think, for the anniversary of World War I.

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