Idealist; one guided by ideals;

THE JOY OF A GREAT BOOK…

The joy of a great book is like the joy of living itself – the joy of existence.

From the first page to the final sentence, a great book immerses the reader. It ensnares them in the reality of the narrative, drenching them in the drama, requiring nothing short of their total emotional investment in the lives of the main characters.

Good books are many-numbered and frequently-forgotten. But great books are few and far between.

It is only in the reading of a book that the difference between ‘good’ and ‘great’ is realised. Sometimes all it takes is the opening paragraph, or the first few pages, but it soon becomes clear whether the book you’re reading is truly great; whether the taste of it will linger upon the mouth of the imagination long after the words have been digested.

A great book reveals itself in in two ways: 1) the creation and imagining of a reality, and; 2) the expression of that reality. It is in a novel’s expression that the joy of reading is realised.

The masterful expression of a book’s reality, the adept and playful weaving of form and meter, the conscious relishing in the expression of a language simply for its own sake – THIS is the rare joy to be found in a truly great book – when the reader takes pleasure not only in the Narrative but also in the Spectacle of its existence.

Narrative and Spectacle are often seen as two opposing and competing forces:

“If, ultimately, the spectacular aspect has always been viewed as subordinate to and in a sense subject to the control of a repressive narrative logic, this is precisely because spectacle is, in many respects, the antithesis of narrative. Spectacle effectively halts motivated movement. In its purer state it exists for itself, consisting of images whose main drive is to dazzle and stimulate the [mind].”
Aylish Wood.

However it is actually in the delicate balance between these contradictory forces, in the subtle maneuvering of their abilities and influences that a truly great novel reveals itself.

For despite their opposition, Narrative and Spectacle are really two sides of the same coin. An author must provide ample space within the Narrative for a reader to savour its expression – to enjoy the Spectacle of reading for its own sake – without allowing the progression of the Narrative to slow.

This is why it is in the reading of a truly great book that the competing joys of existence become evident. From the opening paragraph to the final sentence, one must continually reconcile the urge to “race to the finish” against the desire to “savour the experience.”

Narrative and Spectacle … Detail and Gestalt.

What is it people say about stopping to smell the roses?

——

Author’s Note: This random thought was inspired by the book I’m reading at the moment:

“The Corrections” by Jonathan Franzen.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!