Reading fiction is fun, but interpreting fiction isn’t. Neither am I convinced that trying to interpret novels or poems in a structured way is to be encouraged. What would happen if in English class students read books but didn’t discuss them? My guess is that literature would become more popular and that nothing would be lost in terms of understanding.
I’ve never been part of a book club, nor do I have any desire to join one. However, I have recently started to listen to a podcast called Old School, in which Shilo Brooks discusses novels. He indisputably has excellent taste, as evidenced by him covering many of the same books and authors I love. At the same time, I disagree with how he covers them.
Listening to Brooks discuss Wolf by Jim Harrison, The Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa and P. G. Wodehouse‘s books, I believe he’s off the mark. I don’t so much disagree with his interpretation of what those writers wanted to say, but on how the books are meant to be read. I just I enjoyed them. Not for a moment did I stop to think if they made me a better man, as Brooks says in the introduction to his podcast. There were some parts that made me think, but getting myself to consider heavy issues like masculinity or the decline of culture wasn’t what motivated me when I started those books. I was motivated by enjoyment alone. I believe the authors meant them to be light-hearted too, while Brooks perceives them to be profound. Probably both are true, but talking exclusively about the profoundness while ignoring the enjoyment does potential readers a disservice.
Nehaveigur 