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Topic: Is the Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich considered a Classic book?

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Subject: Is the Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich considered a Classic book?
Date Posted: 1/6/2013 5:15 PM ET
Member Since: 3/9/2009
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The Antelope Wife is on my tbr and I was wondering if it is considered a classic or just part of contemporary literature?  It was written in 1998 but I've read a couple of references to it as classic.  I know some universities use it in American Indian Literature studies?  I haven't read it yet myself so I can't speak to it's quality.  Any thoughts on this?

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Date Posted: 1/7/2013 4:59 AM ET
Member Since: 11/18/2009
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Written in 1998? Hardly a classic!

                                           Rose

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Date Posted: 1/7/2013 5:03 PM ET
Member Since: 10/4/2010
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Hi Lisa,

I don't think it's been discussed recently, but I know that a couple of years ago, it was generally agreed (in this forum) that a work should be at least 50 years old to count as a classic. I think the Erdrich book would work for a couple of the contemporary lit challenge categories though. smiley

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Date Posted: 1/7/2013 6:14 PM ET
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Thanks for the assistance Kristin, I had looked for a definition on the forum but didn't find it.  I guess I just didn't go back enough threads.  The non pbs definitions were so variable as to be useless.  I'll use Antelope Wife in the contemporary challenges.  Thanks again for  the help.  :)



Last Edited on: 1/7/13 6:15 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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Date Posted: 1/24/2013 4:49 PM ET
Member Since: 4/28/2009
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In DEC I found a whole discussion thread about how "classic" is defined.  The thread offered up some differing viewpoints and I found it quite valuable to read through. Just do a search, I know I found it easily.

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Date Posted: 6/23/2013 12:04 PM ET
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for me I think Erdrich's first two books are her best.

Love Medicine

The Beet Queen.

Love Medicine is sort of unusual. Quite a few years after it was published Erdrich went back and re wrote the book. So there are two versions of the book.

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Date Posted: 7/29/2013 12:19 PM ET
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I would agree with Charles K. that Love Medicine and The Beet Queen are very good books.

But I am finding  The Painted Drum to be a very good novel, too, and I recommend it to those

who already know they enjoy the work of Louise Erdrich, and those who have yet to become

acquainted with her work. 

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Date Posted: 8/14/2013 8:52 PM ET
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Interesting topic!

I guess that, for me, a classic would have to be at least 100 years old. But then, I'm 69 myself!

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Date Posted: 12/18/2013 9:12 AM ET
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I'm 69 myself!

you're old enough to be my sister.