Posted by Magnus Smith on August 01, 2017 at 00:04:39 user Magnus.
Most of you Tarboarders enjoy re-reading Ransome's S&A books over and over, I am sure. I had to stop doing it though, as I got to a point where every word became too familiar, and I was longing for the deeper enjoyment which comes from reading a book with fresh eyes.
I have a good memory for book plots/details and song lyrics (sadly my brain disregards more useful everyday knowledge) and so there was never any surprise. I really felt my pleasure was being dulled by over-reading.
So I took a break. A ten year break!
I knew that nothing less was going to have any affect on my memory. Hopefully time apart from the books would allow me to later re-read with fresher eyes, and properly enjoy something I loved. It is upsetting when you love something, but cannot truly enjoy doing it. Nothing can conjure up that magic of the first ever reading, of course, but this is about as good as I'm going to get.
I've remained totally Ransome-obsessed, of course. I've still been reading books about Ransome's life, and trying new titles from the Mariner's Library he helped set up. But I found my decade-of-holding-back gave me plenty of time to try new authors too, and there have been some pleasant surprises (and many other books cast aside in disgust!).
I honestly don't feel I have missed out on anything. The green hardbacks have been there on the shelf the whole time, giving me comfort without even needing to be opened!
So do tell me:
1) Am I a complete weirdo?
2) Could you ever take such a break?
3) Do you predict success or failure?
4) Will any place/time suffice, or must I find the perfect moment and the perfect location to heighten my pleasure?
5) Binge on them all quickly, or spread out over a number of years?
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