I think it's that people often aren't presented classics in the right context. I LOVED Moby Dick, but it's because I played Dishonored and wanted more of the whaling theme.
But if I had to read it for school? I would have hated it.
A lot of very good books are ruined by throwing them at kids who aren't in the same mindset that the author is targeting. Meanwhile great literature for children gets ignored because adults don't respect it.
But if I had to read it for school? I would have hated it.