How to deal with rude people?

hi i had this conversation with this guy, who is an art major at university. anyway, during the conversation, he bring up the subject of the book crime and punishment, and i sort said " that book is definitely a classic, but i have to admit, i never get to finished it as for me personally, i found the story a little weigh down by all the details' immediately this guy begin to act like an obnoxious arrogant jerk, and said something like "it a such complex work, there is entire floor in the general library devoted to discussing this book" at which point, i responded curtly " oh really, and which floor would that be?" ( we both study at the same university). anyway, after that i tried to move the topic away to something else , as i dont want to get into an unnessary argument over something so stupid. however, doesnt matter which topic i tried to talk about, he just keep making outright rude , condecending comments. in the end, i just said to him " actually, i just remember i got something important i need to do, i'll catch you later" and walked off. after that conversation, everytime we met at mutual friends place ( we share alot mutual friends, so it impossible for me to not run into this jerk), he always tried to turn conversation into a debate and use it as chance to make condecending comment about my outlook, i actually lose my cool a couple times, and i am wondering if anyone has any good advice on to deal with this type jerk in a assertive but somewhat more diplomatic way.