I definitely find it harder. I have often blamed the children but I think it started before them actually. I'm less patient with novels that meander too much or are not vivid enough, or where I don't care about the characters. This last one happened to me recently with Anne Enright's Actress which surprised and disappointed me as I love Enright... But then I just finished Fiela se Kind (managed to avoid it all through school!) and cared so much about the characters I almost couldn't finish that either 😄
I like your thought about going back to the classics. Just read a Camus story this weekend and was blown away by the skilled rhythms and clear prose and gorgeous phrasing.
Long response, sorry. Many thoughts were prompted as I read your post 😊
Agreed that finding loveable novels became more difficult on the road towards old age, but - although this might not be true for everyone - perhaps you can look forward to the possibility that, as for me, it suddenly became easier after 85. Now I like almost anything that passes back cover detail scrutiny or is recommended by someone I like! Discernment out the window, there seems to be something of value everywhere (although - with the exception of one of my latecomer favourites of the year which was Wizard of the Crow - I have to confess to mainly still only reading books written by women). interesting that there is nothing by Han Kang on your list. Maybe you read them all before this year? Wishing you a delightful solstice, with many moments of joy to you and your loved ones at this time and may the new year reset offer lots of fun and valuable insights. Thank you for the ongoing reading pleasure of your substack writing.
Best wishes to you too, Karin!
I definitely find it harder. I have often blamed the children but I think it started before them actually. I'm less patient with novels that meander too much or are not vivid enough, or where I don't care about the characters. This last one happened to me recently with Anne Enright's Actress which surprised and disappointed me as I love Enright... But then I just finished Fiela se Kind (managed to avoid it all through school!) and cared so much about the characters I almost couldn't finish that either 😄
I like your thought about going back to the classics. Just read a Camus story this weekend and was blown away by the skilled rhythms and clear prose and gorgeous phrasing.
Long response, sorry. Many thoughts were prompted as I read your post 😊
Now you have all the rest of Michael Ondatjie's novels to look forward to. Next time I visit I'll bring you one.
Xxx
Agreed that finding loveable novels became more difficult on the road towards old age, but - although this might not be true for everyone - perhaps you can look forward to the possibility that, as for me, it suddenly became easier after 85. Now I like almost anything that passes back cover detail scrutiny or is recommended by someone I like! Discernment out the window, there seems to be something of value everywhere (although - with the exception of one of my latecomer favourites of the year which was Wizard of the Crow - I have to confess to mainly still only reading books written by women). interesting that there is nothing by Han Kang on your list. Maybe you read them all before this year? Wishing you a delightful solstice, with many moments of joy to you and your loved ones at this time and may the new year reset offer lots of fun and valuable insights. Thank you for the ongoing reading pleasure of your substack writing.