The Three R's

No, I'm not talking about Reading, Riting and Rithmetic; I'm talking about Reading, Re-Reading, and Re-re-reading.

Whenever I mention to someone that I've been re-reading a book for the Nth time, N being a finite positive integer, I get incredulous looks and the occasional curse or two. They think I'm crazy to read a book more than once... they say, if you already know everything thats going to happen, what's the point in reading it? Strangely the same folk condone re-watching of movies, because "some movies are absolute classics" and watching them is such a "great experience" that there is nothing wrong in watching them again.

I don't see how the logic is any different. The first time you read a book, the tendency is to focus on the story. I mean, since you're not mugging the novel for an exam, you are unlikely to note every subtle aspect of character or shade of meaning of some line or hint in the plot. I, for one, read faster than a page a minute on an average, and if the print size is large and the book is fast-paced, I'm capable of doubling that. Still, I don't think my understanding is hampered much by my speed... it is just that there is only so much that an average human being can digest at one go. Everytime I re-read a novel, I discover something I've missed on the previous read, and my appreciation of the author grows.

For example, when I first read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I felt that it was way below the standards set by Rowling so far. It read a lot like a soap opera... some pointless romance stuff; Mahabharath - style battle scenes; I felt that the plot totally lacked the subtlety and the twists that I've come to admire her for.

But on re-reading it this week, I've softened my stance... because I think I understand what she actually tried to do in the book. She needed to bring out some aspects of Harry's character - something that she's sorely neglected in the previous books, and capture the tumultous emotions in his heart. If you chuck the story aside and look at the little things, you'll find that the book nicely sets the stage for Half - Blood Prince.

The same kind of thing applies for movies as well... the first time you see a movie, you are unlikely to absorb the significance of every phrase in the dialogue or aspect of the setting. Only when you watch it for the second time will you begin to appreciate the nuances of the plot and everything that the scriptwriter and director tried to bring out. And when you appreciate it better, it means you enjoy it as well.

Still, I never get bored of re-reading my favourite novels even after I've absorbed every single word like a sponge. I must have read Second Foundation over 12 times! Perhaps taking it to that extreme is a bit insane, but then again, I've never actually claimed to be completely sane!

Cheers,
Prashanth.