ChatGPT defines classic literature as having:
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Timeless themes – It explores ideas like love, identity, power, morality, or human struggle that are still relevant long after the book was written.
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Literary quality – The writing is distinctive, skillful, or innovative in style, language, or structure.
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Cultural or historical influence – It has shaped, reflected, or challenged society, often influencing later writers, thinkers, or even politics.
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Enduring readership – People keep reading and discussing it for decades or centuries, not just when it was first published.
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Universal appeal – Even though it may come from a specific culture or era, readers from different backgrounds can still connect with it.
Looking at these criterias, Harry Potter seems to meet 4 of 5 points. However, I'm not sure if it would be considered as "literature". I know in the book community, a lot of people snub and look down on the Young Adult genre. And as entertaining as Harry Potter is, I doubt it'll be taught to school children merely because of the long length.
Admittedly, I have not read many books in my adult years (Well, "respectable" books, anyhow; trashy romance-fantasy novels don't really count). I'm low-key looking for recommendations for contemporary books that you would consider to be a classic.
I would say that "The Handmaid's Tale" has a lot of great themes. (I've not actually read it yet, but it's on my to-read list).
Anyway.
Which modern, contemporary books would you nominate as "Classic Literature?" Which 21st century stories would be taught in schools 500 years from now? Or even a thousand years if humanity lasts that long.
by Erisanne