While recently reading Women in Love by DH Lawrence I was reminded of a quote by French philosopher Michel de Montaigne:
“I am not prepared to bash my brains for anything, not even for learning’s sake however precious it may be. From books all I seek is to give myself pleasure by an honourable pastime… If I come across difficult passages in my reading I never bite my nails over them: after making a charge or two I let them be… If one book wearies me I take up another.”
But I had a problem as a literary essay by Norman Loftis claims it to be a masterpiece and DH Lawrence’s best book. I read Lady Chatterley’s Lover and had no such difficulty with it so it must be me, right?
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Anyway, I was determined to make it to the end and I also re-read the essay to see if it made more sense and perhaps I could understand what he was getting at – the need for men and women to find a new way of loving and living that was more equal and freer. It was written over 100 years ago at a time when women were seeking emancipation and turning away from subservience.
Anyway, I found it to be pretty tough going. Have you read it and, if so, what did you think of it?
I agree with Montaigne ~> I do not struggle to read books when I’m reading “for pleasure.” If the writing style does not mesh with my reading preferences, I set the book aside and pick up another.
That is generally my strategy too but I took this one on as a challenge. Think I might have wasted some good hours reading! Gave me something to blog about though 🙂
That quote from Montaigne sounds like something I would say. These days I take a similar approach to my reading. Of course, there are sometimes rewards for getting stuck into difficult books, but I think the best writers write in a clear and simple way.
Thanks Steven. It is so easy to blame ourselves rather than the writer – especially when it is a famous one. I guess it is a matter of taste. Thanks for visiting and commenting 🙂
That’s very true, Rainee. I enjoy your posts. Have a wonderful week!
So well said. Thank you for joining the weekly theme, Raines! 🙂