Why do we read books more than once?

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Sat, 2002-03-23 16:46

Today I was listening to the 12th 1-hr episode of Lord of the Rings on R4. As frodo slumped, ready to die, in the deadly land after bunging the ring down the 'ole, there was a sound of eagle's wings. It was Gwahir the Wind-Lord and his brothers! Wheyhey!!!! I was banging on the wheel (driving) shouting 'Go on guys, rescue him!' and there was a lump in my throat.

Why?
(OK, OK... obvious humour aside, or aspersions on my character)

I knew very well what was going to happen - I've read it dozens of times since I was 11. What's more, when the BBC started repeating it in January, I HAD to buy the CD set (get it from Amazon.com in the states for about £40 - the BBC want £85!!!!) So I played them all over one weekend (13 hours), and I STILL listen to the saturday afternoon regular programmes.

We sit in films, knowing what will happen, or re-read books we know well - but we still have trepidation, joy, anger, relief, tears in relation to events in the plot, not just 'mood'. Why? Is it temporary suspension of reality/memory?

(oh and if you want the CD set be warned - the songs are crap! a mixture of squeaky 'blackadder' type singing, and Billy Connelly - type 'Hi-hi and off we go marching across the land!' I just see him doing it on stage in a 'big' voice, swinging his arms determinedly, when I hear the Ents. Mind you the songs in 'Under Milk Wood' weren't much cop either, 25 years before 1982.....mumble mumble (where has he gone - I liked his humour) )

Sat, 2002-03-23 17:09

Tom Saunders

Sometimes it's nice to know we know what's going to happen. Characters become like old friends and visiting them is soothing, safe. With the books I really like I've usually forgotten enough to make it interesting. Never been tempted reread LOTR, though, I have to say. (Sacrilege!)

Sat, 2002-03-23 17:35

pioden

I like to re - read or watch just to make sure I read it the right the first time .... but if you think about it why do we continue to play the same tune over and over .... out comes the CD's and no matter how many times I played one CD I still play it ...... Like certain sweets or foods we always go back for more .... a bit like an addiction Can you over dose on reading? Oh yea before I forget e-griff ... here's a big kiss for your cheek and naughtness !

Sat, 2002-03-23 17:37

pioden

laughs ...... your a case e-griff

Sat, 2002-03-23 18:12

e-griff

some people would say, they hope I'm a brief-case others would offer a court case some would prefer me as a past case but I'd like to be in Poirot's last case I guess I'll just stick to present case ablative it may be, genitive (twice) it has been dative it was once accusative (I try not to) nominative (I always vote) vocative (yes, I must admit it) but hey, I'm just a 'case' like you.

Sat, 2002-03-23 19:31

zyv

You cannot drown in the same river twice. Not quite the original, but this has more universal validity I feel. I have read my book (Noddy Goes Derivatives Trading) forty times, but that's because I can't afford another. You lucky lot with two books at least have a choice. Just don't rub our noses in it, okay?

Sat, 2002-03-23 19:35

e-griff

Noddy has never been the same since 'political correctness' I have a clever plot for you. read it upside down, translate it as another language, and read it again, having learned it (the new language) . A hole new world! If you read Sole of Riana (plug !) you will see you can 'drown in the same river' twice. (or am I givingthe plot away, Ari?)

Sat, 2002-03-23 22:28

A Sole of Riana

you can drown in the same goo a hundred times, though.

Sat, 2002-03-23 23:39

jude

i read it again because i just can't believe it was really that good

Tue, 2002-03-26 11:21

#10

Ida Orr

isthmus or chiasmus?

Sun, 2002-03-24 18:01

#11

Ari

In the case of poor Aurelia, you can drown in the same river about a zillion times, griff

Sun, 2002-03-24 18:01

#12

Ari

And probably pick up any number of odd characters along the way to the river

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