He’s considered a great writer because he wrote great books, not simply because he’s labeled a classic.

point is that (critic) taste isn't arbitrary... the fact that great books resonate with people, 

 stand the test of time (e.g., many generations of worthy people find them valuable) is what make them classic books. That means us poor schmucks can infer greatness from the classics.

the_stacker_muse

BooksAndArticles

Can someone be a good writer just because he is considered a classic?

the_optimist

I guess you read it here?? https://stacker.news/items/1469347/r/denlillaapan (it's even below in "related posts")

> He’s considered a great writer because he wrote great books, not simply because he’s labeled a classic.

point is that (critic) taste isn't arbitrary... the fact that great books resonate with people, _and_ stand the test of time (e.g., many generations of worthy people find them valuable) is what make them classic books. That means us poor schmucks can infer greatness from the classics. 

At least that's my steelman... :P