A Big Book

Published on Nov. 2, 2006 in Taiwan

When I was younger I hated reading. I mean, I guess I didn't hate reading, but I always found better things to do. Like dig holes.

Times have changed. Throughout middle school I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Xanth fantasy series from Pears Anthony; Dean Koontz was pretty good as well. In high school my teachers spoon-fed me fine literature, special thanks to Mrs. Bowen-Jones for her AP Literature course. Compared to many people I have talked with at uni, I had the privilege of being exposed to so many great works. While the fine details have now somewhat faded, I still remember the overall themes and motifs. At the time I didn't fully enjoy, or appreciate, the privilege I had. Indeed, the push of my teachers for me to read certain books appears to parallel the push of my mom trying to get me to eat vegetables. Alas, I still don't really like vegetables.

Yesterday I finished War and Peace. Of all the works of literature I have read, both fiction and non-fiction, I think War and Peace was the most influential. Indeed, I wasn't gripped in obsession like other books I have read (e.g. the Da Vinci Code, which I read in an afternoon); I never shut reality out while reading. Instead, I feel like War and Peace supplemented my reality, and slowly my view of the world (and things in my past), changed.

At 1,444 pages, War and Peace is one of the longer books I have read. Even though I have read books of similar length in short periods of time (e.g. Cryptonomicon, at over 1,500 pages, in two days), War and Peace took a while. This stemmed from the unprecedented amount of characters (almost 500), the complex relationships and deep thoughts presented by Tolstoy. Unlike many modern novels that are set to entertain, War and Peace is meant to influence.

Would I recommend War and Peace? Absolutely. But I will interject that reading it isn't like reading a book, but forming a relationship. So, if you are looking for something new to read, it might be high time to visit your local bookstore and peruse the Russian Literature secion.

Tagged As: Books

Comments are currently closed for this entry.