What is a Classic?

Today I received an encouraging email from a mother. She told me she plans to buy a boxed set of The Barn Chronicles for each of her children so that they will in later years enjoy reading them to their own children. How precious. It got me to thinking…

The definitions of a classic according to the Collins Dictionary are:

adjective

1. of the highest class, esp in art or literature

2. serving as a standard or model of its kind; definitive

3. adhering to an established set of rules or principles in the arts or sciences   ⇒ a classic proof

4. characterized by simplicity, balance, regularity, and purity of form; classical

5. of lasting interest or significance

6. continuously in fashion because of its simple and basic style   ⇒ a classic day dress

noun

1. an author, artist, or work of art of the highest excellence

2. a creation or work considered as definitive

One of the above definitions of a ‘classic’ is that it holds lasting interest or significance. The email I received this morning certainly makes me hope that at some stage The Barn Chronicles will fall under that definition and will at least in one sense earn the classification as a classic. 🙂

Rosie ~ 19 November 2013