Some thoughts on re-reading
I'm currently making my way through the first part of DRAGONFLY IN AMBER yet again. (Listening to the unabridged audio on my iPod. <g>) The first half of that book, up to the end of the Paris section, is by far my least favorite part of the entire series. (I'm embarrassed to admit how much I missed, the first time around, because I skimmed over large parts of the Paris section, finding it incredibly boring and slow-paced compared to what I'd come to expect with OUTLANDER.)
And though the ending of DRAGONFLY more than makes up for the slow pace of the first part of the book, I still find this book difficult to get through on re-reading. The opening "frame" with Roger and Bree and Claire in the 20th century seems to take ages to get through -- though it contains occasional delightful nuggets like the scene with Roger and Brianna's first kiss, in the chapel at St. Kilda's. By the time I get to the beginning of the Paris section, I want to yell at the book, "Get on with it already! I want to see Jamie!" <g>
I have a similar reaction to the chapter "Mr. Willoughby's Tale" in VOYAGER. I understand its function in the story (to explain Willoughby's motives for his actions later in the book), but I still find it hard to believe that Jamie understands Chinese well enough to be able to translate a very long and complex story like that. And I've found that skipping that whole chapter doesn't detract much at all from my understanding or enjoyment of the rest of the book.
So I was just wondering if any of you have parts of the books that you find difficult to re-read? And by "difficult", I don't necessarily mean just boring or tedious, but the emotionally difficult scenes as well. Some people skip over the scenes like Claire's abduction/rape in ABOSAA, or the miscarriage in DRAGONFLY. I don't personally skip over ANY scenes, no matter how hard they are to get through, but I'd like to hear what the rest of you think about this.
I have heard others comment (and I agree) that FIERY CROSS improves with re-reading, like a fine wine that gets better as it ages. <g> I still remember my bewilderment on my first reading of FIERY CROSS, with that Very Long Endless Day. ("150 pages and they're still on the first day?? Isn't there going to be a plot in here someplace?") But I enjoy the book more and more on each re-read, mostly for the dozens of wonderful little Jamie/Claire moments, but also for the focus on Roger's character. Not just the hanging, but the relationship between Roger and Jamie, which goes through such a transformation in this book.
Karen
The fourth book in her Lymond Chronicles series, Pawn in Frankincense, ends very sadly and wrenchingly. The first time I read it, I was away from home for several months and desperately homesick, in the middle of a clinical depression. The second time, I was having to put my cat to sleep. It was only the third time I read the series that my life was happy, so it didn't hit so hard.
Nowadays, as I read the book, I'm always conscious of what's coming, and how, with every page, I'm getting closer and closer. Last time, about 3 years ago, I put the book down as we got close -- and I never picked it up again. Now I have to start the series again from the beginning. :-)
I've never read the Lymond Chronicles, though I've had people recommend the series to me before. But I can totally relate to what you are saying! There are parts of the OUTLANDER books that I dread on re-reading, because they are so emotionally painful. I find myself slowing down as I approach a section like that, making excuses to avoid listening to it. But as I said, I don't actually skip any parts of the books, no matter how painful it is to re-read.
I hope you'll give the OUTLANDER books a try at some point soon. You won't regret it! :-)
Karen
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Karen
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Interesting <g>.
The beginning part of DIA is to me quite fascinating and I listen to it often. Although, I have listened the Paris section less, but I like it also. Maybe because of the 18th Century Paris map I found.
I had big difficulties with beginning of TFC, until I later understood that it only took one day and started the roll of so many new things. But already the second read was more rewarding as you then understood better those things. Although, I didn't remember Harley Boble in ABOSAA. The arc was tooo long <g>.
"Any book that can bring out such strong emotional response the second time around is a masterpiece to me."
I wholeheartedly agree with you! I am always amazed that certain scenes bring me to tears EVERY time, no matter how often I've read or listened to them before.
Karen
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