One of the things I like best about Rebecca Stead’s novel When You Reach Me is the way the heroine, Mira, loves A Wrinkle in Time. The way she carries it around with her wherever she goes, and the way the book is like an old friend to her. It made me think about the pleasures of rereading books and why we do it. If we’ve already read the book, and we know what’s going to happen, why bother reading it again? It’s precisely because we do know what’s going to happen that we bother. We return to certain books again and again because we know they are reliable and dependable and will always be there for us, and events will unfold just the way we remembered them. Or if we’re really lucky, they begin to mean different things to us at different times—just like longtime friends do. The longer we know them, the more we discover. The bond deepens.
I do not know how many times I have read The Little Prince, but each time he has come through for me. When I was small, he was a traveler in a great adventure who came home, where he was happiest of all. As I grew older, he was the hero in a love story—between the Little Prince and his rose, beloved to him, unique in all the world because of his care for and devotion to his rose. Then the subplot between the Little Prince and the fox came to the fore, as I began to consider what the word “tame” meant in the context of their connection, and the complexity and trust involved. More recently, it has had a tinge of all these things, but mostly it has helped me see the importance of being at home where you are.
Rereading also teaches us to be better writers. A famous story goes that when someone once asked Ernest Hemingway how to become a writer, his advice was, “Read Anna Karenina. Read Anna Karenina. Read Anna Karenina.” Just as good painters often begin by imitating the masters, reading the masters can help us improve as writers.
Finally, it's my belief that reading and rereading makes us better people. Books allow us to enter other worlds. They offer us other points of view, help us to see another side—often of ourselves.
I do not know how many times I have read The Little Prince, but each time he has come through for me. When I was small, he was a traveler in a great adventure who came home, where he was happiest of all. As I grew older, he was the hero in a love story—between the Little Prince and his rose, beloved to him, unique in all the world because of his care for and devotion to his rose. Then the subplot between the Little Prince and the fox came to the fore, as I began to consider what the word “tame” meant in the context of their connection, and the complexity and trust involved. More recently, it has had a tinge of all these things, but mostly it has helped me see the importance of being at home where you are.Rereading also teaches us to be better writers. A famous story goes that when someone once asked Ernest Hemingway how to become a writer, his advice was, “Read Anna Karenina. Read Anna Karenina. Read Anna Karenina.” Just as good painters often begin by imitating the masters, reading the masters can help us improve as writers.
Finally, it's my belief that reading and rereading makes us better people. Books allow us to enter other worlds. They offer us other points of view, help us to see another side—often of ourselves.
I'm a serial rereader and you beautifully summed up why I enjoy it so much!
ReplyDeleteI too loved that aspect of WHEN YOU REACH ME. Miranda doesn't read it for any other reason in that she considers it HER book and the one she wants to read. My book (I was in fifth grade) was another Madeleine L'Engle title, And Both Were Young. I took it out of the library over and over and then wanted it so badly I decided to COPY the whole thing into a notebook. (While I was given many books, we lived in East Lansing Michigan --- this was the 60s --- and I was unaware that I might buy it somewhere.) Gave up after a few chapters and wish I still had that notebook.
ReplyDeleteRecently I reread The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner. I noticed that I enjoy those books even more on each rereading, because I notice all the little seeds she planted, hints of what was to come, but she misdirects the reader so you don't notice them the first time through. So that's another reason to reread -- to enjoy the cleverness of the author!
ReplyDeleteBibliopinions: I love the term "serial rereader"! I'm going to borrow it and credit you whenever and wherever I use it.
ReplyDeleteMonica, It was so nice to bump into you at O'Hare after the American Library Association conference. I had no idea you're a fellow Michigander. I grew up in Kalamazoo, and bought my books at the now-defunct Athena bookstore, where Betsy Bird aka Fuse #8 grew up. I wish you still had that notebook, too!--J
ReplyDeleteSondy, I'm a huge fan of those Megan Whalen Turner books, and completely agree that much of the pleasure of rereading a great book is discovering how the author laid her groundwork. Others this week have told me that they've been disappointed by some books that haven't held up to rereadings. (CATCHER IN THE RYE was one! Not having reread it since college, I'm now afraid to pick it up again.) Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jenny! Fellow Michigander here. My two serial re-reads (great term!) were both by Madeleine L'Engle -- A Wrinkle in Time and A Ring of Endless Light. I miss those days of not feeling guilty for re-reading...now there are too many books in my to-read pile!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, would you believe that I am in Akron, Ohio, tonight, midway on my drive back to Michigan for a mini-family reunion? I have my dog, Molly, with me for company. Every once in awhile, I think it's important to make time for rereading. Sometimes only that certain book will do. My uncle Garrett rereads A MOVEABLE FEAST every fall, and got me into the habit most autumn seasons, too. But for now, I'll take a swim in Lake Michigan for you!
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