I have three unfinished books on my bedside table. The bookmarks are still in them, each about halfway through. Which is my way of saying, “This really isn’t working for me anymore. But before I sign the divorce papers, let’s keep the window of possibility open.”
One is The Idiot by Doesteyovsky. His writing is compelling enough that I stuck with it, but the story is just so non-compelling. People in closed rooms having endless conversations, mostly about the dance of courting without ever connecting. I just found myself bored by the talk and craving an open window or an interesting event.
The second is The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. Again, good writing and much more action than The Idiot while sharing the constant pursuit of the woman by the man with some rivalry between Church and State thrown into the mix. But the whole premise of the culture where somebody looks at you cross-eyed and that justifies challenging them to a duel, and yes, killing them for the transgression. Come on, folks, get a life! Enough of this macho crap!
Then there’s On the Road by Jack Kerouac. Sometimes I re-read these kind of iconic classics and feel that they hold up. But not this one! How much dysfunctional behavior and drinking can one take? No real character development and where there’s some, not a character you want to hang out with. No plot beyond getting one place to another and getting rip-roaring drunk. What was touted as an anthem of liberation from the square 50’s mentality comes across as just plain hedonistic indulgence. I did relate to the hitchhiking experiences having traveled cross-country some 4 different times in the early 70’s. But hell, my book about it would be so much more interesting. I never once got drunk and instead, could wax poetic about the breathtaking beauty of the American landscape, some intriguing people who picked me up and a couple of situations I found myself in and that feeling of freedom underneath the open skies and utter dependence on the kindness of strangers.
Meanwhile, I’m listening to James, the re-telling of Huckleberry Finn told from the point of view of Jim and there’s a compelling story. The adventure of rafting on the Mississippi, the deep insight into white supremacy told from the other side, the deep shame about what my country has done and deeper shame that it’s doubling down today to keep that horror going, the compelling relationship between Huck and Jim. Here’s a book worth my time.
Meanwhile, anyone want to buy three used books?