On Rereading
Dorothy, over at Books and Bicycles, recently brought up the topic of rereading. Then, Danielle and Imani joined in the fun. And who I am to resist jumping on the bandwagan? As I mentioned there in the comments, I used to be a big rereader; probably a quarter of the books I read were rereads. Then, I discovered book blogs, and now I feel inundated by all the new books that sound so good. This year, I’ve only reread six books. Granted, I’m planning on rereading at least four more before the year is out (for the Reading the Author challenge), but that still sounds kind of sad to me. I mean, that’s why we keep some books, right-because they’re so good we want to reread them.
For me, the important thing about rereading is that the story really becomes a part of me. When I read a book once, it might affect me deeply, and I might be stunned by the beauty of it all, but eventually things begin to get hazy. Whereas if I reread it, the characters end up becoming part of an extended family, people I might not to talk to much, but the relationship is always there when I need it. :)
So, I think for next year that’s going to be one of my priorities. And, a la Dorothy, here are some books that I’d love to reread (off the top of my head)…
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Roberts is an Australian who escaped from prison and spent a few years living in Bombay, working in the underside of the city, before being recaptured. Shantaram is a fictionalised version of his experience; I loved his ability to really bring Bombay to life. You could tell he really loved the city!
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I really loved this the first time I read it, and I’d like to read it again in a different translation (the Pevear-Volokhonsky one). I feel silly even summarising the plot, but basically there are two storylines: Anna’s (whose unhappy marriage leads to problems once she meets the dashing Vronsky) and Levin’s (whose quest to find the perfect wife to be a partner in his rural estate proves more difficult than he imagined). I prefer the latter, and because of this, I once told someone that AK was an example of a happy ending in Russian literature!
Some Dorothy L. Sayers
I love her Lord Peter Whimsey detective series, and I haven’t reread one in quite awhile!
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Actually three books: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass. Described as children’s lit, it’s actually a philosophically complex fantasy series set in an alternative Britain (for the most part), complete with the most adorable fantasy creatures ever; daemons, who are animal-like spirits attached to each person that can shape-shift until their person hits puberty. I adored this trilogy the first time around, and I want to to get recaught up in it all. :)
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
I’ve read quite a bit of Eco now, and I’m a big fan, but this is the one that started my love for him. It’s a mystery set in a medieval monastery, with healthy sprinklings of Latin (a language I studied in high school and really like) and philosophy added in.
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
See Anna Karenina. :) This is, by far, my favourite work of the Soviet period. It’s a magical realist take on pretty much everything important in life: good, evil, love, art, beauty, etc. Impossible to summarise in a sentence or two, but an amazing experience well worth revisiting.
Some Austen and Bronte, of course!
And some of my childhood classics: Pippi Longstocking, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and the Chronicles of Narnia come to mind. There’s always a risk, though, that rereading a childhood favourite will dissipate the magic. We’ll see!
I reread most decent books on the spot. I resemble Superfast Reader in that I churn through them very quickly the first time. (I often read it in one sitting.) But I like a more leisurely second read to observe how the author set things up. If I can’t make it through a second time, that tells me a lot. If I get so caught up in it that I can’t put it down again, that tells me a lot too.
There are books I’ve reread a dozen times…
I find rereading very comforting. It’s like visiting an old friend. And of course as I get older, sometimes I find that my perspective has completely changed about a book. So it’s like reading it again with new eyes!
That’s funny – Anna K, His Dark Materials, and Master and Margarita are all on my re-read list too!
I almost never reread now…only Austen, really. But I used to do it constantly when I was young – I remember reading the same books over and over and as you said they become a part of you and you never forget them. There are a handful of books I’d really like to reread – one fear is that I might not enjoy them as much as I did the first time.
This is my first time commenting here, but just wanted to add that I too, love rereading. I think you definitely get a better feel for the book the 2nd and 3rd etc time around. I haven’t done much rereading lately for the same reason you mentioned — there are just too many “never been read” books out there that I need to get to! I do plan on rereading one book before the year is out, which is Birth House. I read it earlier this year in about two sittings and wanted to immediately turn to page one and start again, however, decided to move on to one of my many other TBR books.
I enjoyed this post and this whole blog – keep it up!
I also haven’t re-read as many books this year (just Harry Potter). In fact, the few I planned on rereading: The God of Small Things, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Blind Assassin, all got pushed to the side for other books. I really should stop doing it. Some of the authors you mentioned are ones I have read recently and would like to go back to someday, especially Umberto Eco.
Should I dare say it? That I see a possible reading challenge in this topic? ;)
I don’t reread as much as I’d like to. For so long I only read very new, contemporary fiction. Now that I am reading more classics, they seem worthy of rereading. It’s hard deciding–with so many new and really good books being published each year–what to choose. Of course considering how quickly details of stories get lost from my mind, I think rereading is the only way to really get to know the story!
I don’t reread a lot, but sometimes. Next up on my reread list is Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd.
Good choices! I’d love to re-read the Pullman books — I really loved those. And I have the same worry about re-reading childhood favorites — we’ll see about those.
Walrus, that’s an interesting approach. It sounds like you read for plot the first time and then style the second. :) I read books in single sittings sometimes, but I wouldn’t say I churn! For fiction, the fastest I’ll usually go is about 100 pages an hour. For non-fic, it depends…I’m more willing to speedread through it.
Gentle Reader, that’s such a good point (about changing perspectives)! Wish I had mentioned that. ;)
Ted, that is funny! I suppose they’re all super-rich books, however, so it makes a tiny bit of sense.
Tara, I reread Austen a lot. I can’t count the number of times I’ve read P&P, in so many different contexts. I have a lot of fond memories associated with that book. I also reread Northanger Abbey and Persuasion pretty regularly. Those are my three favourites!
Nadine, thanks for stopping by and all of the kind comments! Do you have a blog? (Your name isn’t linked) I haven’t read The Birth House, but I’ve heard good things.
Alisia, ohhh-I remember just adoring The Blind Assassin. But I also remember that I felt emotionally drained for a few days afterwards; I couldn’t pick up another book! lol @ the reading challenge I’ll probably just try to incorporate more rereads into the regular challenges that I join. But if you want to host a challenge, I’ll sign up!
Danielle, I agree…in general, I have a lot more urge to reread classics than contemporary. Of course, I’ve always been a big fan of classics, but lately I’ve been expanding my author pool (I used to stick with just a few well-known), which leads to an ever-expanding desire to reread!
SuziQ, I don’t think I’ve heard of that one. I’ll have to look it up!
Dorothy, for me, I know that Anne has stood the test of time. But two of my absolute favourite series in childhood were Nancy Drew and (wait for it) Animorphs. I own 40+ in each of these series, that I’ve saving for my future children, but I absolutely refuse to try rereading any of them. I just know I’ll be smirking at it all, and my poor inner child would get depressed. lol I’m most hesitant of Little Women; I loved it when I was little (I will always remember where I was when Beth died), but I’ve seen several very negative reviews in the blogosphere by people who read it for the first time as adults.
The Name of the Rose has been sitting on TBR Mountain forever, and you just inspired me to put it on my list for the TBR 2008 challenge. If only I remember by Dec. 15th. Maybe I should start making that list now so I don’t forget.
I reread all the time. I’m rereading The Thirteenth Tale right now, and I just read it in June.
And I agree with GR about changing perspective. I loved Gone with the Wind as a kid. It was so romantic and such huge, epic tale. I reread it most summers from when I was 11 or so. Then, in college, I was very offended by the portrayal of slaves as dumb, happy people who really just want to stay with their masters even once they’re freed. I was also offended by all the white men we’re supposed to respect being in the KKK. I read it one last time when my son was a baby, and I was astounded that I had never noticed what an awful mother Scarlett was. Those last couple rereads were a process of outgrowing it, and I never reread it again.
But usually, rereading just gives me more reasons to love a book. :)
I am quite fond of re-reading my favourites, but, like you, in the last year or so I haven’t had much time for it. Some time ago Jean Pierre mentioned a re-reading challenge for next year… I’d totally be up for that.
I really want to re-read His Dark Materials soon too. It’s my absolute favourite fantasy series, and I really miss it. I want to get around to at least reading the first before I watch the movie.
Dew, yay for Name of the Rose! As far as Gone With the Wind, I also loved the book when I was younger. I’m terrified to read it now, however, because I know I’ll be offended by the issues you mention (although even when I was younger, I did notice how mean Scarlett was to her kids…one reason I preferred the movie). I also feel the need to seek out books about the actual conditions in the south as ‘atonement’ for loving GWTW so much.
Nymeth, I can’t wait to see the movie! Previews here have just started, and I’m hoping it’s good. I love Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, so that’s a good start!
Hi there! Just realized you moved over.
P.S. I added you to the BookBlogBlog at bookblogblog.blogspot.com … but i entered your old site :( hope you come by and visit …