Margaret Atwood
I have often times wondered if there is a way of dividing the world through the binary of re-readers and never re-readers? I know of folk who would never re-read a book in part because there are so many more books yet to read and why waste time going over old ground? You already know how it ends right?
And there are folk who seem to be in Margaret Atwood's camp that there is a sense of comfort to be assured of, a familiarity, a feeling of ease to re-read books because - you already know how it ends right?
I must admit that I often keep books that I think I might re-read. Books that have so much in them I know I won't have managed to get it all the first time through. Books that I think will continue to add to my knowledge and understanding. That may continue to challenge and enlighten me.
And then there are the books I re-read for exactly what she says here - comfort, familiarity and the recurrence of the expected.
I love the notion of the recurrence of the expected. A sense of certainty in a an uncertain world. A sense of comfort amongst the unease. A sense of familiarity when so many events seem far from our understanding.
In these moment I am happy to be held by characters I know. By plot lines I can follow without exerting too much brain power. And to finish on a note where there is a satisfying or happy ending.
Sometimes I need to not go through the terrible angst of not knowing where the story is going and if it will end well. Sometimes a touch of certainty and sense of assurance that all shall be well helps me.
I don't re-read huge amounts, but re-reading most certainly has place in my reading.
Margaret Atwood, what a woman.
I haven't been able to credit the image, sorry.
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