On Finishing Classics

[shaunderes]

A little while ago, I started reading Don Quixote, which surprisingly felt like a chore to read, given that all the reviews I'd read described how "modern" the book read, and stopped a little under half-way through. (Later on, much to my dismay, I found that I had been reading a less-than-stellar translation of the text, namely, the P.A. Motteux translation!) I'm now at crossroads on whether I should continue on or not, just for the experience of having read it.

Have you ever finished classic novels through a sort of feeling of obligation, even if you didn't really enjoy them all that much? Was it worth it for you?

[Tyrion Cheddar]

You raise a good point. I am of the opinion, in general, that one should waste time with a book one doesn't enjoy, because it's pointless, because there are too many other books to get to, and because one shouldn't be one's own taskmaster in that sense. When it comes to classics, we do feel that obligation, don't we--to pick them up in the first place, and then to read them in full. However, my own recent experience with Brave New World was similar to yours with Don Quixote, in that I was impressed with it at first, and felt it important to read the book, then gradually started finding it tedious, and finally said "Screw it" and put it down. Now I'm reading another classic, but I'm enjoying it, although it does have a dated feel and there is some commitment required to get to the end.

[Larry Alexander]

I know I'm going against the grain here and that my thoughts on this are not so fashionable, but I think there's a lot to be said for persevering with a book even though you might not be 'enjoying' it. Of course in our current era of instant gratification the immediate feelings of pleasure one gets from a real page-turner of a book always predominate, but I would say that anyone who is really passionate about books quickly learns that the best books are not always those that you 'get' at the start. So if you persevere, you might find that it all makes sense by the end. Or not. But if it doesn't, was it really such a waste of time? At least, having read it, you are in a position to make a critical judgement to yourself and to anyone else, on this kind of forum or in person. If you finish Don Quixote, you are able to engage with someone else about the book, maybe someone who thinks it's the greatest book ever, and discuss why you disagree. It's hard to defend your opinion if you stopped halfway - like judging a football match when you switch off at half-time. Maybe your team played much better in the second half!

When I was a kid, I was a very lazy reader. I used to leave a lot of books unfinished, and they weren't heavy classics either! Now I know that f I leave a book unfinished, maybe even for a good reason, that makes it easier for me to leave the next book unfinished too. And then maybe the next. And so on. It means that every time I get to a difficult section of a book I will probably quit, because I've set a precedent. It's true that there are too many good books to read, which is why some people say don't bother with books you aren't enjoying. But the way I think is that I will never read all the books I want to in my lifetime, so I'm not going to stress about that. I'd rather read 50 books completely, even if among those there are a few that I really didn't like, than get halfway through 100 books. Plus there are plenty of books I've read that I've enjoyed, but afterwards realised that I'd completely wasted my time by reading them! I don't need to name names, I'm sure we can all think of books we've read like that...

It always amazes me that people will set themselves harsh physical challenges like running a marathon or climbing a mountain, and they will push themselves hard to achieve them, even if it means enduring pain and conquering the urge to quit, but when it comes to intellectual stimuli, they are more likely to accept the arguments for quitting. Which raises the question, what do we mean by 'enjoy' or 'pleasure'? Surely the pain felt by a runner or climber can't be called pleasure? And yet the feeling of beating our own personal best or reaching the summit overrides those considerations, and most people who do those things say they'd do them again, too. I would say some books are like that too. And to take the analogy further, reading those types of books gets easier with experience, just like physically demanding sports. That's why reading can be an education too.

Personally I believe we read books for many different reasons. I have friends who say that they don't ever read books because we have film and TV now, which has superseded them. Just think about that for a minute. Those people have a point right? But only if it's true that we always do the freetime activity which gives us the most instant gratification. In a world like that, I don't think there would be any books, because it will always be easier to stick the film of Harry Potter on than read the book: in the film the work of imagination is done for us, so it's got to be better, right? And yet people do read the books, even if they've seen the films first. Why? Because reading is about more than instant gratification.

Of course if you disagree with this, then that's OK. It's nice to do things that are in our comfort zone, whether it's watch our favourite film for the umpteenth time or read another crime or fantasy novel by our favourite writer. But if you believe that reading books can be a rewarding way to step out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves to brain up or just feel we achieved something, then I think you'll sometimes want to persevere with a book that may not be an easy read. In the case of classics, there are so many references to classic stories and characters in culture (both popular and non) that I don't think it's ever a waste of time to read one. I read Don Quixote because one of my favourite twentieth century writers used the character as a recurring symbol in his work and I wanted to find out more about why he was inspired to do that.

Having said that, I believe the choice of translation in a foreign novel is important, and maybe in this case the one you're reading is the problem. Incidentally, I agree with Tyrion Cheddar about Brave New World. When I got round to reading it I was quite shocked at how badly written and dated it was! Still glad I read it though as at least I can talk about it from a point of view of knowledge, which can never be a bad thing, I think.

Of course, this is only my opinion, and I know that it's a deeply unfashionable one, so feel free to disagree completely. Being 'cool' has never been on my bucket list so I'm quite happy to plough my own deeply unfashionable furrow. Good luck with whatever you choose to read!

[Calidore]

I also found Dob Quixote a chore and stopped early, though I think less than halfway through. No idea who did the translation, but my problem with it was the overly broad humor and repetitive situations.

My most recent experience with an aborted reading of a classic was War and Peace. I persevered through six months of increasing tedium to the halfway point, then decided that I had done my best and more time spent would simply be life wasted.

[Helga]

Don Quixote is in my opinion a fantastic book, but I did find it a more difficult read than I had expected and it took me a long time to get through it even though I enjoyed it a lot. I even read a few books along side of it and it probably took me almost a year to finish.

I think you should stick with a book and try and get through it. Of course I have at times given up on books but I usually get back to them at some point. This summer I think I have read three or four books that I didn't like 50 or 60, even 100 pages in but all of a sudden something clicked and I couldn't stop. Then there are books I just couldn't put down from page one.

When it comes to classics I am of the opinion that you shouldn't force yourself to read them just because they are classics, there are so many different typed of genres and authors to read and who cares if you have read a certain classic.

Here on the ice I regularly get the question if I have read all, or most of of the books by our only Nobel winner and when I tell people that I have only read a couple they wonder how I got my MA in literature, like it goes hand in hand.

I say, give Don a chance but if it's killing you then stop, you might want to pick it up later and if not, who cares.

[milagros]

hello:

I remember that I tried to read don Quixote, but it was impossible. I simple didn't like the story, I'm not sure of the reason. It wasn't because of its length (I had read books of the same size)., I think it was the topic. Books about chivalry don't catch my attention. In my opinion, the story of Quixote is a bit boring. But, I'm not saying the book is bad, only that I don't like the story.

Read for me isn't an obligation, rather it is a pleasure.

[ennison]

Larry you have added a really good comment. Much longer than I ever could or would but extremely sensible. Thanks

[shaunderes]

All very good points to consider! Literature, especially, is a difficult medium to stay committed in, compared to less time-consuming forms of art. Of course, you can analyze a film or symphony for ages-- in some cases, even years-- but I do think books have more of an initial hump to get over. One can finish watching 2001: A Space Odyssey in under three hours, while reading War and Peace can take three years.


I know I'm going against the grain here and that my thoughts on this are not so fashionable, but I think there's a lot to be said for persevering with a book even though you might not be 'enjoying' it. Of course in our current era of instant gratification the immediate feelings of pleasure one gets from a real page-turner of a book always predominate, but I would say that anyone who is really passionate about books quickly learns that the best books are not always those that you 'get' at the start. So if you persevere, you might find that it all makes sense by the end. Or not. But if it doesn't, was it really such a waste of time? At least, having read it, you are in a position to make a critical judgement to yourself and to anyone else, on this kind of forum or in person. If you finish Don Quixote, you are able to engage with someone else about the book, maybe someone who thinks it's the greatest book ever, and discuss why you disagree. It's hard to defend your opinion if you stopped halfway - like judging a football match when you switch off at half-time. Maybe your team played much better in the second half!

When I was a kid, I was a very lazy reader. I used to leave a lot of books unfinished, and they weren't heavy classics either! Now I know that f I leave a book unfinished, maybe even for a good reason, that makes it easier for me to leave the next book unfinished too. And then maybe the next. And so on. It means that every time I get to a difficult section of a book I will probably quit, because I've set a precedent. It's true that there are too many good books to read, which is why some people say don't bother with books you aren't enjoying. But the way I think is that I will never read all the books I want to in my lifetime, so I'm not going to stress about that. I'd rather read 50 books completely, even if among those there are a few that I really didn't like, than get halfway through 100 books. Plus there are plenty of books I've read that I've enjoyed, but afterwards realised that I'd completely wasted my time by reading them! I don't need to name names, I'm sure we can all think of books we've read like that...

It always amazes me that people will set themselves harsh physical challenges like running a marathon or climbing a mountain, and they will push themselves hard to achieve them, even if it means enduring pain and conquering the urge to quit, but when it comes to intellectual stimuli, they are more likely to accept the arguments for quitting. Which raises the question, what do we mean by 'enjoy' or 'pleasure'? Surely the pain felt by a runner or climber can't be called pleasure? And yet the feeling of beating our own personal best or reaching the summit overrides those considerations, and most people who do those things say they'd do them again, too. I would say some books are like that too. And to take the analogy further, reading those types of books gets easier with experience, just like physically demanding sports. That's why reading can be an education too.

Personally I believe we read books for many different reasons. I have friends who say that they don't ever read books because we have film and TV now, which has superseded them. Just think about that for a minute. Those people have a point right? But only if it's true that we always do the freetime activity which gives us the most instant gratification. In a world like that, I don't think there would be any books, because it will always be easier to stick the film of Harry Potter on than read the book: in the film the work of imagination is done for us, so it's got to be better, right? And yet people do read the books, even if they've seen the films first. Why? Because reading is about more than instant gratification.

Of course if you disagree with this, then that's OK. It's nice to do things that are in our comfort zone, whether it's watch our favourite film for the umpteenth time or read another crime or fantasy novel by our favourite writer. But if you believe that reading books can be a rewarding way to step out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves to brain up or just feel we achieved something, then I think you'll sometimes want to persevere with a book that may not be an easy read. In the case of classics, there are so many references to classic stories and characters in culture (both popular and non) that I don't think it's ever a waste of time to read one. I read Don Quixote because one of my favourite twentieth century writers used the character as a recurring symbol in his work and I wanted to find out more about why he was inspired to do that.

Having said that, I believe the choice of translation in a foreign novel is important, and maybe in this case the one you're reading is the problem. Incidentally, I agree with Tyrion Cheddar about Brave New World. When I got round to reading it I was quite shocked at how badly written and dated it was! Still glad I read it though as at least I can talk about it from a point of view of knowledge, which can never be a bad thing, I think.

Of course, this is only my opinion, and I know that it's a deeply unfashionable one, so feel free to disagree completely. Being 'cool' has never been on my bucket list so I'm quite happy to plough my own deeply unfashionable furrow. Good luck with whatever you choose to read!

This resonated with me greatly. I think I'll push through, having already finished Part 1. I've read that many prefer Part 2 over the first, as it has a more philosophical tone, so hopefully it might be more fitting to my tastes.

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies!

[cacian]

I find a classic rather passive.
to finish it is a stroke of luck i have not caught up with reality.

[spikepipsqueak]

Totally agree with Larry Alexander. (Why is this window not allowing me the option of bolding?)

I have plenty of books lying around unfinished, but they will be read eventually. It isn't a question of OCD or a variant on "should" but I don't think I have read many books that didn't give me something worth keeping.

The only book I consciously decided was actually having a negative effect, I also threw into the fire. (Think THAT didn't take a rethink of my basic principles? :) )

Reading feels like dancing with the author. Constantly adjusting your own vision and attitudes in the light of new information. I feel that if they took the trouble to put their thoughts on paper, I should let them speak through to the end. Sometimes it is only in hindsight I am clear about what they were getting at.

Film can be transformative, but feels like more of a one way street.

[Larry Alexander]

Shaunderes, ennison and spikepipsqueak, thanks for your replies. I just put down some thoughts that had helped me over the years and I'm happy if they can be helpful to other readers. Having said that, I'd never judge anyone for giving up on a book, especially if they've been persevering for 6 months! In the end it has to come down to personal choice, and there are limits to our endurance!

[spikepipsqueak]

I laughed. The book I am currently reading (not a classic) which has characters doing important things for little apparent reason, suddenly gave me the reasons 70 pages after I was considering giving up on it in the light of the discussion here.

Five pages after that it discussed these very issues as a sort of collaboration between author and reader.

I like a good coincidence.