Ah, back to school time. It was always a favorite time of year for me. (You're shocked, aren't you?) Not only did I get to go back to school which, for me, yes, was a big bonus, but I got to shop for school supplies! An activity which I sill thoroughly enjoy today. Only now, I can shop for "school supplies" year-round!
I used to love my high school English classes. Miss Handy was my favorite, but Mr. Riegles left quite the impression, as well. (I'm a graduate of Martin Luther in Greendale. Class of 1995!) Mr. Riegles used to have the Yiddish word of the day on the board and would employ a "Madam Secretary" to post and record the word. (Yes, I was a secretary and, yes, I wanted to be a secretary!) But those same English classes that introduced me to grammar and Shakespeare and other wonderful topics, also brought me "Great Expectations."
I know we're supposed to love Charles Dickens and, believe me, I'm a huge fan of "A Christmas Carol," but my word do I loathe "Great Expectations." I've been forced to read the book three times in various high school and college classes and every time I hated it. I can't stand the characters or the setting or anything about it. To this day, just thinking about "Great Expectations" has the potential for making me break out in hives. (See how I suffer for the enjoyment of you, my readers?)
The only other books that can make me feel feverish with dread like "Great Expectations" is Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" or William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury." I'm supressing shudders even as I type.
What about you? What books did you loathe to find on your class syllabus?
I struggled through Atlas trying to discover what all the fuss was about. So even though the writing was poor, the characters unbelievable and the plot unrealistic I kept grinding through it searching for the spark that inspired so many. I would rather get a bikini wax than read that book again.