I don't know that I really agree with Leacock. I have learned more from books I did not find agreeable than the ones I did, because they make me figure out why I believe what I believe. If the book is hard to get through or uncongenial, at least I develop my self-discipline. You can't read Dante without learning a ton of new things. We should want more from our books than mere pleasure.
I understood Leacock's advice to mean that one should read what one wants to read, rather than what one feels one should. That said, I do recognize: "If you like a book, and can read it for its one sake, then read it; if not, lay it aside." I'm a great believer in reading those I find uncongenial. Speaking of Ezra Levant, I've always maintained that writers can learn a great deal from bad writing. I can think of few books I've enjoyed reading more this year than his Trumping Trudeau: How Donald Trump Will Change Canada Even If Justin Trudeau Doesn't Know It Yet.
Very good advice, thanks for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteI do like it. Makes me want to read a bit more O. Henry and Browning (but not Laura Jean Libbey).
Delete"...except tobacco"????
ReplyDeleteWell, in 1916 it was claimed that smoking was good for you.
DeleteI don't know that I really agree with Leacock. I have learned more from books I did not find agreeable than the ones I did, because they make me figure out why I believe what I believe. If the book is hard to get through or uncongenial, at least I develop my self-discipline. You can't read Dante without learning a ton of new things. We should want more from our books than mere pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI understood Leacock's advice to mean that one should read what one wants to read, rather than what one feels one should. That said, I do recognize: "If you like a book, and can read it for its one sake, then read it; if not, lay it aside." I'm a great believer in reading those I find uncongenial. Speaking of Ezra Levant, I've always maintained that writers can learn a great deal from bad writing. I can think of few books I've enjoyed reading more this year than his Trumping Trudeau: How Donald Trump Will Change Canada Even If Justin Trudeau Doesn't Know It Yet.
Delete