You don’t have to read a book over and over again to love it.
In fact, argues Molly Labell, sometimes it’s best to read it only once.
Rereading Housekeeping — a relic from a sadder, stranger time during which I was out of place — isn’t necessary. Housekeeping filled a hole; it was a companion and a comfort when I needed it, but I don’t now.
One response
Sometimes you read a book once, and you never have a reason to read it again. Sometimes you read a book four times, because you are obsessed with the author, or you are immersed in the study of technique. The book may stand up to a second reading, or not. I just gave away “Tar Baby” by Toni Morrison, after reading it a second time. I’ve read many of her books, and own several, but that one did not survive the test.
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