Question about how my book club defines 'classic' literature

At our last meeting I brought up a newer novel from 2019 and called it a potential classic. Three people immediately shut me down saying a book needs at least 50 years of staying power to earn that label. But then another member pointed out that books like 'The Color Purple' were called classics within a decade of coming out. So where is the actual line? Has anyone else in your club run into this debate about what makes something a classic?

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2 Comments

drew_hart41mo ago

50 years of staying power or I want a refund on my book club dues.

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evan_cooper731mo ago

Honestly, the whole debate seems a bit much. 50 years is totally arbitrary, like who decided that was the magic number anyway? Tbh, calling something a classic is just a vibe check, not some official decree.

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