A timely article for me. I recently read Junger's On Pain. I felt underwhelmed despite some hyping it. I skipped the supplied introduction and the translator's own separate introduction. I then read these which added historical info I was unaware of (it was written in the 1930's as Hitler had just come to power in Germany). This prompted me to seek out other views on it. I am now reading the essay for a second time with a different perspective.
So this is just to say it works with non-fiction too. If you have read some important piece and walked away baffled as to why anyone cares, perhaps getting different perspectives may help understanding and prompt a rethink.
I am currently doing this with TS Eliott's The Waste Land too.
Funny thing about this. I've been working for a while on my novelized history of the first Russians to come to California (1806), and recently decided to tackle Война и Мир, по-русский. It's a different experience, For one thing, it's forcing me to slow down. For another, Tolstoy is even more brilliant in the original.
I have become fascinated with literacy as a mother of two littles trying to raise critical thinkers. I bought this book to help me in my journey. Hopefully this article will encourage others to not merely read this (lovely) summary, but to buy the book and tackle it accordingly :)
Thank you for sharing this with us. How to get this skill at reading taught to kids, let alone grownups? I will start by getting the book and talking about it with friends.
I did learn this in school, but that was in the 50’s and 60’s. I know both my daughters learned this method and they are 34 and 40. I don’t know if they were fortunate to have excellent teachers or being surrounded by books at a very early age, probably both!
Thank you so much appreciated. My response is multiple and personal. I will read deeper into this and offer a response if I may. I will start with others gross misunderstanding of deeper thinking.
I’m intrigued by the fact that apparently I can read nonfiction syntopically pretty much effortlessly (it’s pretty normal for me to string authors as far afield as Bakhtin, Polanyi and Marion together in the same discussion; my friends are very patient with me :)), but I HATE doing this kind of work on works of fiction. If I read a novel, I want to enjoy the humor, the flow of the prose, the incarnation of the characters. I guess in a novel, I want to experience something beautiful, not pick it apart with my left brain.
I too tried and failed several times to read War and Peace. Finally I started listening to it on audible and after several hours picked up the book again and was totally absorbed.
Yes, especially a book like War and Peace. I found that I often drift into other thoughts when listening on Audible. But it is great option to get one interested in it again. Didn't think of it that way.
Wow. This is enlightening. Thank you! I now have a new approach to my favorite pastime of reading.
A timely article for me. I recently read Junger's On Pain. I felt underwhelmed despite some hyping it. I skipped the supplied introduction and the translator's own separate introduction. I then read these which added historical info I was unaware of (it was written in the 1930's as Hitler had just come to power in Germany). This prompted me to seek out other views on it. I am now reading the essay for a second time with a different perspective.
So this is just to say it works with non-fiction too. If you have read some important piece and walked away baffled as to why anyone cares, perhaps getting different perspectives may help understanding and prompt a rethink.
I am currently doing this with TS Eliott's The Waste Land too.
I haven't read "War and Peace" but Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God is Within You" was thoroughly excellent, far better than any papal homily.
I’m reading Les Miserables and I’m going to read it differently after reading this amazing post. TY so much!
Let us know how it goes.
I definitely will!
Funny thing about this. I've been working for a while on my novelized history of the first Russians to come to California (1806), and recently decided to tackle Война и Мир, по-русский. It's a different experience, For one thing, it's forcing me to slow down. For another, Tolstoy is even more brilliant in the original.
Thank you, the four levels of reading are very interesting, I will keep it as a Bible. Love this post.
I have become fascinated with literacy as a mother of two littles trying to raise critical thinkers. I bought this book to help me in my journey. Hopefully this article will encourage others to not merely read this (lovely) summary, but to buy the book and tackle it accordingly :)
Yes. Definitely worth reading.
Thank you for sharing this with us. How to get this skill at reading taught to kids, let alone grownups? I will start by getting the book and talking about it with friends.
That is a great way and yes it would have been very helpful if they taught this in school.
I did learn this in school, but that was in the 50’s and 60’s. I know both my daughters learned this method and they are 34 and 40. I don’t know if they were fortunate to have excellent teachers or being surrounded by books at a very early age, probably both!
Excellent essay. It is disconcerting that we are getting further away from developing this skill
Thank you so much appreciated. My response is multiple and personal. I will read deeper into this and offer a response if I may. I will start with others gross misunderstanding of deeper thinking.
Brilliant! Thank you.🙏
I’m intrigued by the fact that apparently I can read nonfiction syntopically pretty much effortlessly (it’s pretty normal for me to string authors as far afield as Bakhtin, Polanyi and Marion together in the same discussion; my friends are very patient with me :)), but I HATE doing this kind of work on works of fiction. If I read a novel, I want to enjoy the humor, the flow of the prose, the incarnation of the characters. I guess in a novel, I want to experience something beautiful, not pick it apart with my left brain.
I gotta let my hair down somewhere, I guess.
Good point. This is ideal for deep reading especially works that are making philosophical insights.
Brilliant as it clarifies what often is pondered.
I too tried and failed several times to read War and Peace. Finally I started listening to it on audible and after several hours picked up the book again and was totally absorbed.
Yes, especially a book like War and Peace. I found that I often drift into other thoughts when listening on Audible. But it is great option to get one interested in it again. Didn't think of it that way.
Immersion. When you enter the world of the book and are unaware that you are reading it.
Thanks for this. My post on reading for betterment overlaps: https://open.substack.com/pub/daviddidau/p/reading-for-betterment?r=18455&utm_medium=ios