# Entice others to read your fave classic/revered literature **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051 "2008-08-23T21:51:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/1 "2008-08-23T21:51:49Z")
I have been trying to read some classics. Have you ever noticed that most of them are stab-me-in-the-eye-with-a-knitting-needle boring? So, here we will entice each other to check out a classic or revered piece of literature. Let’s make a game of it. Only give a brief synopsis. No character names are to be given. If you are sure you know the book in question, add just a little to the synopsis. Give people a little time to try and guess, then feel free to give it away. The point is to have us become interested in a book we may have been poo-pooing because of preconceptions. NO GOOGLING ## I’ll go first. After surviving a plane crash an optician finds himself slipping in time, sometimes living in his WW2 days during the destruction of Dresden, sometimes middle aged and making love to a 20 year old as part of a zoo exhibit on another planet. So it goes. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/2 "2008-08-23T21:58:35Z")
[QUOTE=newcrasher] I have been trying to read some classics. Have you ever noticed that most of them are stab-me-in-the-eye-with-a-knitting-needle boring? So, here we will entice each other to check out a classic or revered piece of literature. Let’s make a game of it. Only give a brief synopsis. No character names are to be given. If you are sure you know the book in question, add just a little to the synopsis. Give people a little time to try and guess, then feel free to give it away. The point is to have us become interested in a book we may have been poo-pooing because of preconceptions. NO GOOGLING ## I’ll go first. After surviving a plane crash an optician finds himself slipping in time, sometimes living in his WW2 days during the destruction of Dresden, sometimes middle aged and making love to a 20 year old as part of a zoo exhibit on another planet. So it goes. [/QUOTE] On the way, he meets the world’s worst science fiction writer and the most patriotic American in the Third Reich. Oh, and the 20 year old is also a porn starlet with the greatest name ever. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/3 "2008-08-23T22:04:00Z")
A wanted man after trying to right a wrong done against his friend, our hero joins a traveling acting group. Forced to leave the troupe he begins to learn fencing, and uses this talent to finally seek revenge against the noble who had driven him into hiding. [QUOTE=newcrasher] After surviving a plane crash an optician finds himself slipping in time, sometimes living in his WW2 days during the destruction of Dresden, sometimes middle aged and making love to a 20 year old as part of a zoo exhibit on another planet. So it goes. [/QUOTE] Slaughterhouse Five ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/4 "2008-08-23T22:06:46Z")
ETA: Doh. :smack: I missed the “add to the synopsis” line in the OP… I guess I’ll leave my response as it is anyways since the Friar had a chance… * * * A wanted man after trying to right a wrong done against his friend, our hero joins a traveling acting group. Forced to leave the troupe he begins to learn fencing, and uses this talent to finally seek revenge against the noble who had driven him into hiding. [QUOTE=newcrasher] After surviving a plane crash an optician finds himself slipping in time, sometimes living in his WW2 days during the destruction of Dresden, sometimes middle aged and making love to a 20 year old as part of a zoo exhibit on another planet. So it goes. [/QUOTE] Slaughterhouse Five ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/5 "2008-08-23T22:06:46Z")
My offering: The world becomes so parasitical and predatory that one man decides to stop it’s motor. His heroine vows to find and stop him, or destroy him if necessary. Tesla technology, including free energy generators and 1950’s-style death rays, thrown in extra. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/6 "2008-08-23T22:08:37Z")
Spoiler box answers are a classy touch. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/7 "2008-08-23T22:11:32Z")
My go: Some people find themselves caught up in a historical narrative, discover that there is very little free choice. Natasha is hot, but needy. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/8 "2008-08-23T22:18:23Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] My go: Some people find themselves caught up in a historical narrative, discover that there is very little free choice. Natasha is hot, but needy. [/QUOTE] No character names please. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/9 "2008-08-23T22:20:45Z")
[QUOTE=newcrasher] No character names please. [/QUOTE] Aaaargh, sorry. I would edit if I could. Hope that I haven’t gave away too many spoilers. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/10 "2008-08-23T22:26:04Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] Aaaargh, sorry. I would edit if I could. Hope that I haven’t gave away too many spoilers. ☹ [/QUOTE] No problem man. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/11 "2008-08-23T22:27:24Z")
Another shot: An ancestor of mine discovers that murder is not such a smart idea, fears trees. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/12 "2008-08-23T22:37:05Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] My offering: The world becomes so parasitical and predatory that one man decides to stop it’s motor. His heroine vows to find and stop him, or destroy him if necessary. Tesla technology, including free energy generators and 1950’s-style death rays, thrown in extra. [/QUOTE] That Speech class he took in high school really paid off. Or did it? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/13 "2008-08-24T00:24:52Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] That Speech class he took in high school really paid off. Or did it? [/QUOTE] I think the outline was only 25 pages long. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/14 "2008-08-24T00:29:14Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] That Speech class he took in high school really paid off. Or did it? [/QUOTE] The heroine’s brother was a bit of a git, wasn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/15 "2008-08-24T00:35:40Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] The heroine’s brother was a bit of a git, wasn’t he? [/QUOTE] And a member of the book’s version of the CFR (at least I always thought that’s what it was supposed to be). ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/16 "2008-08-24T00:40:12Z")
Here’s mine. Probably extremely easy: It’s a charming children’s story about some rabbits that go on a journey. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/17 "2008-08-24T01:40:19Z")
OK a few of these have had a few goes. Make with the spoiler boxes! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/18 "2008-08-24T02:49:57Z")
“Riverrun, past Eve and Adam’s, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.” _I like to describe minutely small things in enormously erudite language - ha ha fuck you English literary establishment_ “Longtemps, je me suis couché de bonne heure.” _really long incontinent babble, best read in French though whilst sleepy, or strung out on quality opiates_ I’m not sure that I’ve got the hang of this thread though ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/19 "2008-08-24T11:44:30Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] “Riverrun, past Eve and Adam’s, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.” _I like to describe minutely small things in enormously erudite language - ha ha fuck you English literary establishment_ [/QUOTE] I attempted this. Once. I’ll just stick with the Kate Bush song… ohhhhh yesssss. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051/20 "2008-08-24T12:55:08Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] My offering: The world becomes so parasitical and predatory that one man decides to stop it’s motor. His heroine vows to find and stop him, or destroy him if necessary. Tesla technology, including free energy generators and 1950’s-style death rays, thrown in extra. [/QUOTE] Atlas Shrugged [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entice-others-to-read-your-fave-classic-revered-literature/461051.md?page=2)