Have you ever gone back to one of your favorites after many years and wondered why you ever liked it in the first place? If so, which books and why?
Have you ever gone back to one of your favorites after many years and wondered why you ever liked it in the first place? If so, which books and why?
I recently re-read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. It was not what I remembered it to be, at all. I’ve kept a copy for the last 20 years because it resonated with me in my 20s. Now, it’s just ok. It was extremely interesting to read Brave New World after reading Henry Ford’s biography though.
Yes!
I read Dean Koontz from 6th-11th grade. Was my favorite and I read many repeatedly.
That genre no longer interests me at all now.
I had a different experience. I have reread BNW 3 times now. Each time about 15 years apart and each time was amazed at opinions I still shared and some I am still wrestling with in terms of how I would answer the question? I am either fickle or maturing. Cheers.
I have done the opposite—gone back and read something that I started at one time but put aside. Nine times out of ten, I don’t understand why it wasn’t reaching me at the time and I really get a lot out of it. Sometimes I think that 3/4 of how we feel abut a book depends on the current mood we’re in.
Jee; Your comment interests me. Without spilling the beans can you tell me a little about the question and answer in the books which occurs. I have changed my opinion 3 times over 45 years. In the 60s I agreed with one side, in the70s I agreed with the other side, in the 80s, I was confused. Now I agree with my with my 70s opinion with tweeps. Not sure I have become wise or just a curmugeon. If I’ve another 15 years I will share my final decision.
I think you make my point, that as we change and grow, so do our opinions and outlooks on life and what we read in books. For example, in Brave New World there are still things that I believe are frightening, but the actual writing itself wasn’t as impressive to me.
I understand . Thanks for sharing. I agree there are occurrences in the book which intimidate me, however, thinking about our current incidents of pestilence in modern times I can agree with the concept, however the visual while reading was intimidating in the 60s. Now with measels, ebola, etc, it makes some sense. Cheers. P.S. The final question still sends me to a good Gin and Tonic.