Distinct but relatable voice elevates a book to classic Classics
are books that have stood the test of time. They are on required
reading lists, recommended by teachers and librarians, and that
have been cited and quoted by thousands over time. These books
were written by renowned writers such as Ernest Hemingway, J.D.
Salinger, Henry David Thoreau and F. Scott Fitzgerald. They are
considered literary marvels. So what defines a classic? How do
books become classics? "A book becomes a classic when it has
been read by readers of multiple generations," said Andrew
Heller, a Voices writer and senior at Exeter. Exeter senior
Kelly Johnson agreed. "I think that books become classics when
they're applicable across all generations and the author has a
really distinct style," she said. Most classic books were
written at least 50 years ago, during a time when writers wrote
not for critical acclaim or a paycheck but because it was their
passion. And that passion shows through their writing. "It's
interesting to see into