Timing is Everything: What Books Have You Read Too Soon or Too Late?
“For a novel addressed by a man to men and women of full age….”
So starts the preface to the first edition of “Jude the Obscure“ (1895).by Thomas Hardy. As I read this sentence a few days ago, I reflected on this curious notion that pops up time and time again – that certain books are for grown-ups only. In fact, I had just had a discussion with my husband about whether or not Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was appropriate for our 8-year-old niece. Yes, we decided, it was. And that decision was followed by a timely feature in the New York Times about “What Books Are ‘Just Right’ for the Young Reader?” (which backed up our idea to introduce our niece to Harry Potter at Christmas).
Growing up, I was allowed to read anything I wanted. I was encouraged, to a degree, to read “ahead” but, I was also taught that reading “behind” was just fine too. As such, I have no trouble reading books aimed at kids and tweens today (Yes, I know who A is. And I’ve known for years.). Books are fun and rewarding in all sorts of ways! If it piques my interest, I pick it up—and that’s been a life-long habit.
As I read Jude, I was having a hard time seeing how it was grown-ups only. I figured a kid would probably be bored as hell and miss all the things that were making the book great, but, not scarred. Until I got to Part VI—then my eyes got all wide and I slapped my hand over my open mouth.
“Did you get to the part where it would be bad for kids to read?” asked my husband.
“Uh… yeah. You could say that,” I answered.
So, okay, Thomas Hardy. Warning warranted!
But it got me thinking about the other books I’ve read. It’s near impossible to pick the “best” time to read a book—as everyone’s emotions, experiences, and knowledge will give them all a different journey with each story. But I can say that, yes, some have been too soon. And some have been too late. Here are my lists. What are yours?
Books I’ve Read Too Soon
This list is hard to determine, exactly, because I can’t really know unless I’ve reread it later and appreciated it more. Or maybe the list are those books which I suspect I’d appreciate more. Or maybe it’s the ones I stopped reading, but fully intend to finish.
Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
I’ve loved all the Dostoevsky I’ve read in the past five years, so I would really like to “redo” this first one I attempted, back in my 20s. I don’t remember finishing it. I’d probably appreciate it more now, having fallen deeply in love with The Idiot and really liking The Brothers Karamazov.
Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen
Oh Jane, you have written one book that I don’t have creased to hell in my bookshelf. Why aren’t you creased? I can’t remember if Fanny annoys me or if I go for your funnier books or what. I’ll find out. I’m sure I will love this one too, if I read it more than once or twice. This was the second Austen book I ever read, after Emma—I remember that.
Something About a Turtle and a Tree and a Dead Girl, by someone I don’t recall.
This isn’t the real title. But to round out this list, I offer some book I remember reading as a child that my mom bought for me. When she asked me how I liked it I responded, “It was good at first, but then the main character fell out of a tree and died.” My mom felt bad. I was upset, but, I pretty much forgot about it two weeks later. Except sometimes it pops up in my mind every now and again, even now, 25ish years later.
Books I’ve Read Too Late
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
This one stands out the most. I read it when I was in my mid-20s, and I hated it. I wanted to smack that Holden kid upside the head. What an annoying twit. So many people say this was such a powerful books for them when they were a teen. I can appreciate that, I guess. But all I can say is, I’m glad I kept evolving from when I was a teen and that I couldn’t relate to this moron at all. *shudder*
I think I tried to read this one when I was sick with cancer. I was so disturbed at the notion of people intentionally fucking with their bodies that I couldn’t even finish it, though everyone else I know who has read this novel loved it.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
I liked this book, I really did, but, I didn’t have the urge to read beyond the first book. If I read it a few years earlier than I did, then maybe the jokes wouldn’t have seemed done to death. This book was a victim of its own success, IMO. Alas.
