Great Article: Reading Strategies: "What makes a Good reader"
What does Nabokov think makes a good reader?Nabokov has many different ideas of what he thinks a good reader should possess. He believes that the reader should notice and fondle details. A good reader must also have time to acquint themselves with the book, they should use imagination just a writer does. Nabokov refers to this imagination as "impersonal and artistic delight". He also mentions that it is very important that a good reader knows when to curb their imagination. This is done by what the writer gives as details, whether it be what the character is wearing, where the book takes place, what the room may look like, the smell, etc. Nabokov also brings up that the best temperment for a reader to have is a of combination of artistic and scientific. Lastly he strongly believes that a good readeer will not read with his heart or brain, yet his spine.
Do you agree?
I have never really thought about reading in that degree. I can't say I agree or disagree because I have never really tried it his way yet. Although I am leaning towards agreeing with Nabokov moreso than not. I think he makes very valid points as to what makes a good reader. This next book I read I am going to try some of his suggestions and see if I can tell a difference. I would consider myself a basic reader who just reads from left to right, instead of looking at it like a piece of artwork, as Nabokov mentioned in his article.
What do you believe are the characteristics of a good reader?
I believe that a good reader will set aside time. Time where it is a quiet and you can really focus on what your reading. I also think a good reader would possibly read slower and not skip important details and really focus on what the writer is trying to accomplish as far as details of location, smell, etc.
Do you consider yourself a good reader?I would consider myself a good reader when the timing is right. If Iam in a quiet environment and really focus, I can get alot out of what I am reading. If its a loud environment I tend to read the words but they just go out one earth out the other and I found myself having to re read what I just read. It is something I need to work on.
Hi Joe, Just testing out your commenting feature.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you when you say that having a quiet place to read and focus really does help a reader not only read the book and not have to reread the sentence over but to understand and not miss the details that the author wanted the reader to know. Otherwise, why put them there in the first place. It would be interesting to try his method on the book that we will be reading in this class and see if it matches up with what Nabokov says.
Hello Joe,
ReplyDeleteSeing as we have share the same first name, I found it indicative to post a comment on your blog. I really enjoyed your post on Nabokov. You are right in saying that a good reader takes the time to select a good environment in which to read. I never thought of that before, but it is true that one can read and understand more if the environment is quiet. Another trait that he points out as you mentioned is the attention to details. For it is often in details that we notice what the entire story may hinge on. For example, it is the minor details in some of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories that make the story. Good luck with the semester and Keep Reading!
Pax et Bonum,
Joseph