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Friday, March 05, 2021

Perspective


 In high school, I really liked The Scarlet Letter, but when I read it years later with a three-year-old...I had a whole new appreciation.  There are so many books that on a re-read give an additional resonance or that make you realize that the writing was not as good as the plot (Mila 18 by Leon Uris; but what a plot--it certainly increased my interest in all things WWII and Nazi Germany).  In some cases, I've loved a book more; in other cases, I've been disappointed that my re-read ruined my first opinion.

How about you?  


12 comments:

  1. I love that quote. And it's so true! Though there are some books I hesitate to revisit because I don't want my happy memory of them to change now that I'm an adult, you know?

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    1. :) Yep, I do know. Ruining a good memory is a shame.

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  2. Yes, I agree. Sometimes I've been disappointed when I reread a beloved book, but often times, it's just as good, if not better than the first time! I've made it a goal to reread one book each month this year. So far, so good. We'll see if I can continue for the next ten months. :)

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    1. That's an admirable challenge. I don't re-read as often as I should or as widely, perhaps, as I should, as I tend to choose comfort books I've read many times.

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  3. Re-reading books is a great way to connect dots.

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    1. Yes. In many ways, things we don't notice the first time, history we are unfamiliar with, social customs that change, experiences we gain as we age!

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  4. I enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time much more as a child than when I re-read it as an adult. Judy Blume's novels have held up very well even with the little obvious differences in technology and such. My perspective and who I identify with in her books has shifted given I'm a parent now and when I first read them I was a child.

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    1. It is that perspective change that intrigues me. Although there were books I enjoyed as a child and adolescent, becoming an adult, working, marriage and children are all in the future of the young reader. We can enjoy those really good books on a second or third reading, with another view point. :)

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  5. I do think our perspectives change as the time goes due to age, influences and circumstances. I rarely reread books nowadays considering there are so many new books to explore, but I do think it's interesting to reread my favourites and see if my opinions do change after all this time. Maybe one day... ;)

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    1. I don't reread very often, either--as you say so many books to explore!

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  6. Such a good topic for conversation but I'll say that I rarely re-read books mainly because of all the other books I have waiting to be read. However I am currently reading The Diary of Anne Frank which I read when I was a teen and it is so wonderful but I think I'm able to read a bit more the teen angst that I definitely wouldn't have noticed as a teen myself. And, of course I understand the history better and it just makes for a more rewarding reading experience.

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    1. For books that have been important to us when young, I think rereading is a way to look at ourselves again--as well as the book in a new light.

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