Nabokov feels a good reader is a re-reader, one who looks deep into the story. As Nabokov states, "But a second, or third, or fourth reading we do, in a sense, behave towards a book as we do towards a painting.", which is how we look at a painting, over and over again, always finding something different with each look. I agree with Nabokov, reading a book only once myself usually, I will glance over the words and get basically what the author is saying, but not the whole story. I have learned from different teachers that to thoroughly enjoy a story, you have to "dissect" what the author writes, creating more of a deep, vibrant picture in your mind as well as a better understanding of what message the author is trying to get across to the reader.
I feel the characteristics of a good reader is one who will re-read a book, getting the most information out of it possible. A good reader also would have a vivid imagination, isn't afraid of picking up a dictionary to look up words not understood, and one who tries to get as much out of that book, even obscure messages sent by the author through a story, possibly even a lesson learned. My reading capabilities usually consist of getting through a story as quickly as possible, skimming across the pages and getting only the basic story from the author. Unless the story is something I am interested in, I feel I am not the "re-reader" Nabokov explains as a good reader.
"But
a second, or third, or fourth reading we do,
in
a sense, behave towards a book as we do towards a painting."
I have attached the link to the reading from Nabokov below:
Hey Darcy,
ReplyDeleteI feel like we got the same information out of this reading and interpreted it in a very similar way. The main point that I noticed was the same quote that you used in your analysis. On another note, I feel as if our reading styles are quite similar. When I read it's for the most part some assignment in which I can't waste time reading every letter of every word and reading just seems easier when you skim fast enough to get through reading in a timely manner and just slow enough to retain vital information.
When I read I usually skim through at first then I find myself having to go back and re-read to get the full affect. I also agree with you that a good reader has a vivid imagination. I know when I read I imagine the scenery if they are describing smells I try to imagine that as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard to dissect a book when just skimming through it. It is almost impossible if you don't go back and read the story again. I have a hard time quickly reading something that I'm not interested in. It's when I'm enjoying the story a lot that I tend to go faster. Do you ever discuss what you read with others who have read it? Sometimes they may bring up a key part of the story that you might have completely missed when skimming. I know when I've read something for the second time, I understand it a lot better.
ReplyDeleteDarcy,
ReplyDeleteI find that for the pure enjoyment of reading I will go back and reread two, three or more times as you were saying. And that is when I can really get into the story and see in my mind what the writer is writing about. The dissecting that you are talking about is what I do when I go back and reread a sentence at a time to be able to study and learn. Thanks for your view point - I enjoyed it.
I seem to be opposite to most people when reading. I find that if I am enjoying a story/book I will read slower as I want to catch all the details I can and then I still tend to go back and re-read it again at a later date. When I am having a hard time getting into something I have to read then I find that I read faster and will, in my mind, highlight certain points for review. Still your analysis is an interesting one and finding that I tend to differ from the "norm" is something that I never would have thought.
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ReplyDeleteHello Darcy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that a good reader is a person who re-reads what they read in order to look deeper into the story for different meanings or what the author was trying to show with his message. I agree with you that a read has to have a vivid imagination I also posted something like that in my post and I feel the same way about the dictionary, sometimes when you are reading and come across a word that you do not know or understand a person usually just skims over it and keeps on going. I usually skim over something that I am reading when I find it to be boring or something that I do not want to read, bad habit! And I too would fit under the category of a not being a good reader according to Nabokov.
Darcy,
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you on most your statements. One statement that caught my eye was the one about not being afraid to pick up a dictionary. Not understanding the context of a particular work can skew your understanding and end up misleading you. Using a dictionary is very beneficial while reading and should not be thought of as a negative thing.
I really like how you explained it and i totally agree. I think without a good imagination a book can never been seen to its full potential. I also think Re-Reading is a very important part. Many people will read over something and not understand it yet they don't go back to re-read or look in the dictionary to help them.
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