You're right. Basically, any category that includes literature from the previous century lacks diversity, but the "classic" categories are especially problematic. In contrast, we see considerably better representation in sub-genres like "contemporary fiction."
Thank you for your response. I think we inadvertently perpetuate this lack of diversity when we list books written almost exclusively by white male authors in categories we name "Great American Novels" and "classics."
Only one female author in the top 10 "Great American Novels" and had to get to the next page for a writer of color. Very disappointing.
You're right. Basically, any category that includes literature from the previous century lacks diversity, but the "classic" categories are especially problematic. In contrast, we see considerably better representation in sub-genres like "contemporary fiction."
Thank you for your response. I think we inadvertently perpetuate this lack of diversity when we list books written almost exclusively by white male authors in categories we name "Great American Novels" and "classics."