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/lit/ - Literature

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21468389 No.21468389 [Reply] [Original]

>people who read the introductions to books

>> No.21468446

Should i read them? New to literature so i don't know if i should because i saw some people say they can contain spoilers?

>> No.21468462

>>21468446
they are usually quite good but better to read after finishing the book. There will be spoilers and they will break down and discuss the themes behind something you havent even read yet

>> No.21468468

>>21468389
People don't read them?
Why read a book and not actually....read it? It's a couple more pages.

>> No.21468472

>>21468389
I'm an autistic completist so I read the preface and introduction.

>> No.21468515

>>21468462
Thanks for clearing it up, ill save the introduction for after the book then.

>> No.21468517

>>21468462
I am an expert introduction reader and this is the correct approach

>> No.21468557

>>21468462
fiction, read after finishing.
non-fiction, read before (well you likely will anyway if you're reading anything difficult).

>> No.21469429

>>21468389
>People who read a book at least twice before reading any secondary literature on it

>> No.21469434

i only read the introduction and appendix

>> No.21469449

>>21468462
>>21468557
Agreed. Most introductions are worthwhile but its somewhat weird that they call them introductions when somany of them discuss the ending or outline the events.

>> No.21469457
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21469457

>>21469429
>People who read a book at least twice before writing any secondary literature on it.

>> No.21469468

>>21468389
>>21468462
only usually read if made by the author themselves.

and preferably not long after the fact of writting the thing.
I usually want to take stuff away from the writing by its own merits, not being poisoned by someone elses retrospective after the fact or in light of x and y.

>> No.21469475

>>21468472
Big same

>> No.21469496

>>21468462
This. I've been burned too many times by introductions spoiling the major points of the book because some nobody asshole wants to share their big brain hot take on it while sucking the author's dick.

>> No.21469497

>Wordsworth Classics are inexpensive editions designed to appeal to the general reader and students. We commissioned teachers and specialists to write wide ranging, jargon-free introductions and to provide notes that would assist the understanding of our readers rather than interpret the stories for them. in the same spirit, because the pleasures of reading are inseparable from the surprises, secrets and revelations that all narratives contain, we strongly advise you to enjoy this book before turning to the Introduction
Chadsworths > penguin niggers

>> No.21469641

>>21468468
>Why read a book and not actually....read it?

I want to read what the author wrote.

>It's a couple more pages.

No. They're at least 5 pages.

>> No.21469651

>>21468462
based. this is what I do

>> No.21469655

>>21468446
I never ever read them for fiction because the fuckin egg head scholars spoil shit all the time. I guess it’s fine for nonfiction but I usually only skim a bit for historical background and move on fast.

>> No.21469666

If it doesn't say anything interesting within the first two paragraphs, I skip.

>> No.21469674

>>21469497
>erodes in front of your eyes the next day
the paper is the cheapest possible and not worth having