Through my reading of the second half of Alberto Manguel's research novel/personal literary history I found many similarities between reading and writing of the past and my own literary journey.
First, and foremost, I found the chapter entitled " Reading within Walls" very interesting and eye-opening. It was very strange to discover that the women of ancient Japan, and to some extent China, were purposefully not educated in the fields of history, politics, and many others, but instead were sequestered to what was considered a woman's place in that society. Because of this doctrine of undereducation, the women of that period were able to break free from the confines of their society and create their own form of education. Not only did these women create their own history, they created an entire language with which to tell their previously unheard stories. These women, such as Sei Shonagon and Lady Murasaki, paved the way for many women of this region to empower themselves against the injustices of a patriarchical society.
The next chapter that truly caught my attention in "Stealing Books". I unfortunately have been one of the fabled book thieves of history. As a child I wanted to read anything and everything I could get my hands on, and because my allowance did not afford for pleasure reading, I would secretly take books from the shelves of my friends and family members. My crimes, however wrong, were always rectified by my returning the stolen property once I extracted every bit of information I could from it. I know stealing is wrong, but it is interesting to hear the tale of Count Libri because he knows exactly what he does is wrong and reprehensible, but his desire for the rare forms of art and knowledge completly overpower his moral code, much like my desire for knowledge did for me.
"The Book Fool" is my favorite chapter of this book. It uncovers so many stereotypes and fables about readers, writers, and intellects in general. I was, like Manguel, one of those students in grammar school who was made fun of for secluding myself from my classmates in order to devour yet another book. I, also, am one of those infamous book fools with my spectacles halfway down my nose in complete happiness and solitude in the middle of a bustling room. The day I found out I had to get glasses, ironically, was one of the most excited of my childhood. I was seven, and I remember thinking, "Now people will know I'm a nerd, and maybe they'll leave me alone, and now I can see what the teacher is writing on the board without the help of my neighbor's notes. How exciting!" My initial excitement was, of course, quickly extinguished the following day when the class bully decided I looked like a boy with my new glasses.
It is infinitely interesting to me to hear all the stories of readers and writers of the past, and to draw countless similiarities between people from the beginning of time to those of today's not so literary world.
It is inspiring how people are able to persevere and even prosper in less than ideal conditions, such as those of the women in countries like pre-modern Japan and elsewhere. It stands the test of time that when segments of the population are oppressed in some way, they will inevitably overcome and move in a positive direction.
ReplyDeleteI too stole books when I was younger, but I am also guilty of never returning them. I pilfered novel after novel from chain book stores which I couldn’t afford to pay. Sometimes I would devour two or three in a month and then head back to see what else I get procure. I look back on that time now with the perspective of a hopeful author, and while I don’t regret what I did, because it afforded me just the escape and influence I needed, I also am a bit guilty because I realize that stealing books helps the author not at all. This feeds into a large part of the problem I have with e-books. When people don’t have to spend $8-$25 for a book, the author loses out and it becomes that much more difficult to actually write books.
Its always odd to me how different people can see things so different. As a child I to would become obsessed with the books and magazines that belonged to my family and friends and as much as I wanted to I never took one. I guess I was too much of a coward.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did do was become a constant visitor at my local library. I would go there at least once a week to browse the isles or read the latest magazine. My mother always found my interest in the news fascinating and bought me a subscription to what was then called The Atlanta Constitution when I was just 8 years old. She kept it up until I joined the Army when I was 18.
That became my daily fix and kept my reading appetite in check for a long time. I can remember people looking at me with the oddest expressions when I would carry the business section with me to a local restaurant to eat lunch.
Man those were good times. I miss my youth.