Jejune
02-07-2007, 12:16 PM
Are there books or movies or TV shows that you read or watch simply because there are so many cultural references to them? I'm asking because it's something I do a lot, and having watched Network last night, it's on my mind. I didn't really like the movie, but it was a little like reading a history book. I finally had a window into a lot of references, and a picture of the seventies that was a little clearer. Also, I noticed that people often misquote Network slightly. It's, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
I've read books just because they're casually mentioned in other books, and even if I don't love what I just read, I love being in the know. I remember for years reading a book that referred to a character as being like Becky Sharp, and eventually I knew that Becky Sharp was from Vanity Fair, but I wanted to get it all the way, so I read Vanity Fair. That's a case where I actually liked the book a lot, even if I wanted to shove Amelia down a flight of stairs. Sometimes, though, the only thing that makes it worthwhile is getting the reference.
I've read books just because they're casually mentioned in other books, and even if I don't love what I just read, I love being in the know. I remember for years reading a book that referred to a character as being like Becky Sharp, and eventually I knew that Becky Sharp was from Vanity Fair, but I wanted to get it all the way, so I read Vanity Fair. That's a case where I actually liked the book a lot, even if I wanted to shove Amelia down a flight of stairs. Sometimes, though, the only thing that makes it worthwhile is getting the reference.