Hard Work

[Katie]

I am finding this very tough to get into. This book makes me feel a little stupid, actually a lot stupid. Am I the problem or is the book a tough nut to crack? Is it worth cracking??

[Geoffrey]

I hated this book more than any other book I have ever read. You are not alone. I even hated the teacher who assigned it, recall his name, his appearance and his pompous, pretentious manner.

[Katie]

ughh... I don't know what I was thinking. I actually chose to read it and now I'm regretting it. I can't help feeling that it is just all going over my head! I hate that it makes me feel stupid!

[Geoff]

Katie wrote: "I am finding this very tough to get into. This book makes me feel a little stupid, actually a lot stupid. Am I the problem or is the book a tough nut to crack? Is it worth cracking??"

Just out of curiosity, what about Nadja causes you to feel stupid? I had quite the opposite reaction: I thought it was full of multiple interpretations. Have you read Breton's Surrealist Manifesto? It may help give a sort of foundation for the novel.

[Abe]

Don't try so hard to find meaning. It will come. Follow the narrative and let the ideas wash over you. The story is pretty simple to follow - a man meets a woman and has a short fling with her. Don't get hung up on all of the asides, the story of the play Breton saw, the poster for a movie, etc.

I find this book to be supremely rewarding. I hope that, if you make it to the end, you also find something worthy of the work.