N295

new books, seduced by

learn the art of re-readinG

It’s tempting to see books the way we see gadgets: that we need the very latest, most up-to-date version. But just be-cause a novel is new doesn’t mean it’s any good; indeed, with a new novel being published every three minutes,* the chances that it’s good are actually rather low. Far better to wait and see if a novel stands the test of time, and in the meantime read one that’s already proved itself to be worth reading. Because the art of re-reading is a neglected one, and arguably even more important than the act of reading the first time round.

Sometimes a novel operates only at the level of the story, in which case a second reading will be a watered-down ex-perience of the first. But the best novels converse with the reader on many different levels, and in our rush to find out what happens we swim over other things. A second read-ing nets those fish. No longer so blinded by the whats, we can appreciate the hows and the whys. We’re more likely to notice the ominous foreshadowing of events before they happen, for instance, and smile with the author at how a character deceives themselves – and the author first de-ceived us. We’re more likely to have a clearer taste of the philosophy underscoring the book by the end. And we’ll certainly be more alert to the author’s skill at steering the narrative – what was held back, what was told – and how lan-guage, dialogue, themes and imagery were used to achieve the atmosphere, momentum and tone.

The revisiting of an especially admired or loved book can become, perhaps, a five-yearly ritual, marking the pas-sage of time in your life, helping you to see how you have changed, and how you have remained the same. Do not go always rushing after the new. Like the best friendships and wine, the best novels get better over the years.

* Except on Sundays.