Where Have All the Classics Gone?

Perhaps the title of this post is slightly misleading as our Classic Literature has gone nowhere, but my question is what will be the classic books of our generation - let's call it the 90s (I started reading in the early 90s) to present day?

Will the books everyone reads in high school (Frankenstein, Catcher in the Rye, Wuthering Heights, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, The Scarlet Letter, When Things Fall Apart, To Kill a Mockingbird, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Brave New World, 1984, The Great Gatsby to name a few) and college (most of my college experience has been East Asian Classics, so that doesn't count for this post, more on that later) sustain the generations to come?This is not to say that this selection, is not fully capable and up to the task, but what about representation?

Sure, these novels represent timeless themes, but is it too much to question whether contemporary literature can compare? Or will our "classics" only represent our love affair with the likes of such TV classics as "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Real Housewives of ______"? And why are the the first three authors that come to mind as "popular authors" Stephanie Meyer (Twilight), J.K. Rowling (H.P.), and Nora Roberts? But hey, anything that gets people reading right..... right?

I'm sure this topic has been blogged all across the "Inter Webs" -- I guess now it's my turn. The catalyst for my query is my current New York Times Bestselling selection: Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (I know my response is only off by three or so years, but, I just got around to seeing what all the hype was about).

My first response, however curt it may seem, is: okay. I only wish I had a better word. But it is what it is, just... okay. The back cover, as many books do, records snippets of "praise" for the book from various popular book review sources, and for the most part I agree with what said reviews assert, however, I'm not so willing to call it "praise." Rather than praise, it is simply fact. Agreed, this book does "promote visceral responses" (New York Times Book Reviews) but in the case of Running with Scissors, in many instances, it is just plain gross. Funny, sure, that is appropriate as well -- but in a way that makes you feel sick for laughing. Unbelievable, most certainly, and that makes for a nice story too. But literature? Does it have some underlying message... some deep social commentary... I haven't found it yet. The most pertinent "social commentary" with regards to Running with Scissors is that the phrase "what goes on behind closed doors" falls extremely short of actually conveying what went on behind those closed doors.

Do I recommend it? Sure, if you want to be grossed out and you're not at all easily offended. I had no idea what this book was about when I purchased it.. I just knew it was a popular read and I judged a book by its cover. Despite its intensity, it is a funny book (if you're willing to accept that you can hardly not laugh at bathroom humor), and Burroughs is a very talented writer.

I think it was Andy Warhol who said something along the lines of "Pornography is the highest form of art." This book is nothing short of pornographic and certainly does demand a vocalized "Oh my goodness" and even at times a physical retching, and in this way, is most certainly art.

Note: Don't expect it to change your life and don't expect to see it on your child's required summer reading list, I hope, any time soon. I probably would not even venture as far as to discuss it over meatloaf at the dinner table. But like all things, there must be change. Perhaps this is just a new branch in the evolutionary tree of literature -- Shock Literature! See Palahniuk and Sedaris.