During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Classics Challengers compiled and curated some of its members’ written works and published them in a book entitled The Classics Challengers – From reading to writing.
The idea of publishing a book, not specifically about the pandemic, but the writings of members, including book reviews, commentaries and essays, was mooted during this time. The Classics Challengers is extraordinary in the Malaysian context in the sense that its members are willing to tackle difficult and even controversial books — books dealing with subjects such as politics, religion, crime, race and gender identity, feminism, philosophy and even folklore. In fact, any subject deemed worthy to be read and discussed. It is worth noting that in fact, the Classics Challengers had read and discussed close to eighty books from its inception to date.
The publication of this book is indeed a testament of the dedication and enthusiasm of the readers and writers from the Classics Challengers.
May the “Classics Challengers” inspire others to read, write and to embark on a journey of savouring the timeless masterpieces, together.
About the group: Since its inception in 2017, The Classics Challengers, a small but dedicated reading/discussion community discussed an impressive list of books, among them The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali, controversial books such as The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and The Malay Dilemma by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. This commendable private initiative, which gathers a few serious readers to read and discuss books, not only enhance the members’ personal growth, but above all, it can also be perceived as an act of patriotism since it fits into the Government’s narrative of creating a Reading Nation. It may be seen as a contribution towards the realisation of the country’s aspiration.
