u/EasyEnthusiasm7448

I don’t have a stance on this, just a thought-provoking discussion as I see many people on social media recommending “lesser-known classics” which tend to just be the less popular books of famous authors with other books known as “classics.”

For instance is “This Side of Paradise” a classic just because it was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald? It’s an interesting book, but not nearly as culturally, relevant or studied as “The Great Gatsby” which is widely considered a classic for good reason.

I’m inclined to say no, but wondering if anyone has a reason that these would be considered classics? Can an author themselves cement themselves as “classic?”