There's something to be said for mood reading, and I was definitely not in the mood to be reading this collection of detective stories this past week. I had to force myself to pick up the book and while I was reading, I often had to reread entire passages. When I came across this sentence in the beginning, I knew this book would be work to read.
"In short, there is in life an element of elfin coincidence which people reckoning on the prosaic may perpetually miss."
Sentences like that exhaust me. I only managed to make it through a few of these stories before I realized that it was going to take me a very long time to read, and so I decided to abandon this collection despite my commitment to the Classics Circuit to review it. What I felt like as I was reading is that there were lots of extra words to illustrate rather simple points. I did think sometimes I might enjoy this at another time, but I do doubt I'll do more reading of Father Brown. I did find the character of Father Brown, this unexpectedly sharp priest, to be rather fun, thought.
I think it brings up an interesting point, and something that scares me. I've participated in three of the Classics Circuits now and found two of the experiences to be a bit dismal and one to be fantastic. But I have a growing fear that I'm one of those people who doesn't really like classics.
I'm not sure now is the best time for me to be evaluating this, I've been very busy and constantly exhausted and even short books are taking a long time for me to read. But some of the reasons people don't enjoy classics certainly apply to me here...they're a bit more work to read, the language is outdated, etc. I hate to think I'm a lazy reader, but I'm starting to think it might be so.
In any case, EVERYONE else seems to love G.K. Chesterton, which is a reason I wanted to read this book. And maybe at another time, when I have no time pressure to read it, I'll revisit it. But for my life right now, it simply wasn't the best fit. 
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton
Logging you in...
There is nothing wrong with not reading the classics. Reading is supposed to be fun now, right?
Of course, I am one of those lazy readers who just can't get into the outdated language and writing style most of the time.
Of course, I am one of those lazy readers who just can't get into the outdated language and writing style most of the time.
I don't think we're lazy, I think I'm just letting other's past comments get to me! :)
I don't think you're lazy, Amy. Timing really can be everything. And though I personally love older language, I know a lot of readers just don't connect with it and that's fine. Better luck with your next book!
I think it's another case of wishing I liked something I don't...like with fantasy. ::sigh::
I don't even know what that sentence means, so it's not just you!
Some classics you're going to like, some you are not. Don't sweat it.
I know this is right, I just need to pick the right ones to read so I don't run away from them all.
Honeslty I think it depends on the classic. Some people have probably already said this, of course. I'm a big classics lover, but there is a whole subset of them that I can't stand. They're too wordy, too dense, too descriptive, too boring, etc. I hope you find some that work for you soon!
Come to think of it, I've participated in 6 of the classic circuits so far and had two winners, two midling, and two bad experiences (including one that I abandoned altogether). The problem with choosing classics this way is not knowing if they'll be ones you'll like, then you've committed to reading what you chose. I think you were right to abandon this if it wasn't working for you!
Come to think of it, I've participated in 6 of the classic circuits so far and had two winners, two midling, and two bad experiences (including one that I abandoned altogether). The problem with choosing classics this way is not knowing if they'll be ones you'll like, then you've committed to reading what you chose. I think you were right to abandon this if it wasn't working for you!
I know you're right! It's interesting, but I think I may need to take an entire six months of off self-imposed required reading...I crashed and burned unexpectedly with some lingering commitments.
And as you can see, I'm not a fan of too wordy. :)
And as you can see, I'm not a fan of too wordy. :)
I am one of those people who loves GK Chesterton, but I am only in the mood for him occasionally, and the rest of the time, I can't even look at his books. So I hope you won't write him off forever! Or classics either - they vary wildly between classics I adore and classics I hate hate hate. The only difference between "classics" and regular books is that I feel I won't be a good reader if I don't enjoy the classics, and it puts extra pressure on me when I'm reading them. All nonsense, of course! Classics are books like any others. If you like them, hooray, and if not, oh well (is the attitude I strive for).
I would say that you are not lazy in regards to your reading. I just believe there are seasons to our readings. There are day when I really struggle to read twenty pages of a really good book but at the same time wiz through a light book.
Recently I started Pilgrim at the Tinker Creek. I do not remember reading such a beautifully written book. The most I can read is forty pages at one time. Yet at the same time I was able to read Broken in one sitting. Both books are about the same length so you figure I should be able to read Pilgrim at Tinker Creek in one setting since I like it so much.
One o the books that I am struggling getting through is The Jane Addams Reader. It covers many of the issues we are dealing with today, but for some reason I can only do about twenty pages a day even though the subject material interest me. So as I stated above, there must be season to our reading. Some season we really are into heavy well written stuff and there are season for the light material reading books.
Recently I started Pilgrim at the Tinker Creek. I do not remember reading such a beautifully written book. The most I can read is forty pages at one time. Yet at the same time I was able to read Broken in one sitting. Both books are about the same length so you figure I should be able to read Pilgrim at Tinker Creek in one setting since I like it so much.
One o the books that I am struggling getting through is The Jane Addams Reader. It covers many of the issues we are dealing with today, but for some reason I can only do about twenty pages a day even though the subject material interest me. So as I stated above, there must be season to our reading. Some season we really are into heavy well written stuff and there are season for the light material reading books.
This is true. I haven'ed really just LOVED a book for so long, but I started reading a YA book today that made me not want to put it down and I almost cried with relief that that feeling is still possible.
It made me feel better for you to say that out loud (well you know what I mean). I try to read classics and have loved some, but find I stay away from them. Usually I want to get away in a book and enjoy myself. If I have to think too hard my entire reason for reading is abandoned. Now, I don't mean I only like light, fluffy reads - in fact if it is too light and fluffy I don't like it at all. Maybe I don't know what I like...
BTW, that sentence was horrendous to me. I got bored halfway through and then didn't even know what it meant.
BTW, that sentence was horrendous to me. I got bored halfway through and then didn't even know what it meant.
I know what you mean! I think it has to do with personal preference and taste. I don't know if Gone With the Wind is a classic yet, but I did read that one and devoured it. Also, I really loved the Nella Larsen novella I read. Hmm. Both of those were American classics. I wonder if that has anything to do with it as well. Who knows? And THANK YOU for saying that about that sentence!
Anyway I think we don't want to actual act of reading to be work....if a book makes us think, GREAT but when the actual act of reading feels like work, it's just less enjoyable.
Anyway I think we don't want to actual act of reading to be work....if a book makes us think, GREAT but when the actual act of reading feels like work, it's just less enjoyable.
I think so me books automatically get a certain classic status immediately or soon thereafter. I would count GWTW as one of those book. Sorry you couldn't get past that one sentence and enjoy the book. I have too admit that sentence and I are old friends now and i will miss you reading it to me!
Thanks for participating and better luck next time.
Thanks for participating and better luck next time.
Ha! Well there were many other sentences like that one that followed...:) I want to join in again, I just need to choose carefully!
I agree with you completely Amy.
"In short, there is in life an element of elfin coincidence which people reckoning on the prosaic may perpetually miss." Reading something like that is EXHAUSTING!
I feel I can only read classics when my rest levels are high and my stress levels low...
Just my two cents...
"In short, there is in life an element of elfin coincidence which people reckoning on the prosaic may perpetually miss." Reading something like that is EXHAUSTING!
I feel I can only read classics when my rest levels are high and my stress levels low...
Just my two cents...
This is probably good advice for me to follow! ;)
I was kind of meh about the Chesterton stories I read when I first started blogging. Some I loved, others did nothing for me. So I don't think you're only one not blown away!
Thanks Rebecca! I just hate not loving something I feel like I should. :)
I love Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday, but I didn't enjoy the Father Brown stories, which I read for the Circuit as well. They were a struggle to get through and I would fine my mind wandering off frequently. I'm reading an Elizabeth Gaskell book right now, Cranford, which is a classic but is rather easy to read in my opinion (but I like the Victorians to begin with) and she seems rather modern to me, so maybe you just need to pick the right ones for you.
HI Lindsey! i think you are probably right. :)
I am one of those who LOVE Father Brown in particular and G.K. Chesterton in general. In fact, I was curious to read your review as I am currently about 1/2 way through "The Innocence..". However, I must also admit that I just started vacation so I am in a restful mood for reading.
There are not any rules on what you "should" like. There are not even any constants for ourselves. I LOVE some "wordy", "dense" writers- Dickens, DuMas, Hugo, Henry James- but cannot abide others, particularly the Russians. I even loved Silas Marner in high school and still re-read Jane Austen and Jane Eyre regularly. No accounting, huh? ;)
There are not any rules on what you "should" like. There are not even any constants for ourselves. I LOVE some "wordy", "dense" writers- Dickens, DuMas, Hugo, Henry James- but cannot abide others, particularly the Russians. I even loved Silas Marner in high school and still re-read Jane Austen and Jane Eyre regularly. No accounting, huh? ;)
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