April 3, 2008

BTT: Lit-Ra-Chur

From Booking through Thursday:

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When somebody mentions “literature,” what’s the first thing you think of? (Dickens? Tolstoy? Shakespeare?)


The first thing I think of is the "boring" stuff they make you read in school. Of course, I never personally though all of it was boring (just some - I'm looking at you, Mr. Faulkner), but I think of literature as the "important" books - the ones you are supposed to find symbolism and deep meaning in, and not necessarily enjoy.

Of course, I read Jane Eyre after I stumbled upon it in the local library, and read it and loved it without knowing it was a "great" book. And I tore through Les Miserables when it was assigned in 11th grade English, because the assigned reading was too slow paced for me - I had to know what happened next!


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Do you read “literature” (however you define it) for pleasure? Or is it something that you read only when you must?


I read. Anything. For fun.

5 comments:

Literary Feline said...

I only managed to get halfway through Les Miserables before I had to set it aside and concentrate on my studies. I enjoyed what I read of it though. I don't know why I haven't yet gone back and finished it . . .

Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorite novels, and one of a handful I have read more than once.

Sya said...

I read Les Miserables even when it wasn't assigned. Good stuff.

Anonymous said...

I read. Anything. For fun.

Hear, hear.

Dee said...

Yes yes les Miserables did that one in French Literature. Loved it, loved it. Want to read it again.

Anonymous said...

I had one of those English teachers who let us watch Les Miserables instead of read it. I never have gotten around to picking it up. Yet another book that I need to add to my To Be Read list.