Oct 28 2012
Reading vs. Reading
Of course, then, it makes sense that I never attended a reading event, and that I probably wouldn’t enjoy it, if I did. So I wasn’t too excited for the reading event with Katherine Vaz either. After attending it, I can’t say I hated it, but I surely didn’t love it as much as I enjoy reading a book.
Vaz read with emotion and feeling so I was drawn into the story of the lives of John and Mary. I sympathised with them, and felt their pain and their hope, their anger and their love. Vaz explained that her family’s background in similar to that of the characters. Because I understood the context of her writing and what inspired her to create the fictional story I was able to appreciate it more. The picture I got of the story was clearer because of I knew the framework for her writing. Therefore, I think listening to the author read a book is different from having a random person read a book. The author has a special connection to the book, and that transfers over when you hear the author read his/her book.
However, my feelings and emotions towards the story were limited by Vaz’s. The way she read influenced how I felt towards the characters and the story. When I read something, there is nothing that impacts how I feel or react towards the story and characters. I hear only my voice reading silently in my head. I love imagining how the characters look by the minor descriptions that I interpret for myself. It’s for the same reason that I’m not one to watch the film adaptations of books I read.
“Lisbon Story” wasn’t clear, fluid writing. But then, I didn’t expect it to be, after hearing Vaz read a different piece of her writing. Vaz uses many metaphors in her writing. Both when she was reading, and when I was reading, I noticed comparisons and analogies, which can be confusing in writing. When I was listening to Vaz read, I often lost her in midst of a deep metaphor. It was much easier to follow when I was reading myself because I was able to re-read certain parts I felt necessary.
Although I’m not going to resort to listening to people read, I’ve explored the concept and I’m not so opposed to it anymore. I see the benefits and how the reading experience can be so improved. Nonetheless, I am still much more content with cuddling up in my bed to a great book, reading it on my own.
I found it fascinating that you’ve learned to see the benefits of reading sessions after having not much of a satisfactory experience. I think it depends on the person and how they are able to think beyond their prejudices. I admire your ability to do so. Whether her voice was similar to the voices in our head or not, us engaging in it through active critical thinking IS one of the ways we can improve our experience as readers perhaps?