So, I’m finally getting around to reading “The Count of Monte Cristo,” which is a long damned book. Maybe three weeks in, and I’m about 10% done. Of course, I’m a grazing reader–and I read a lot of things all at once. For example, over these three weeks I’ve also read ten or twelve short stories and several longer articles. And I’ve spent time listening to podcasts, which in the old days would be akin to reading, eh? I do the best I can while working and writing and doing all the other things it takes to move about in the life I’m leading.
So I suppose I’m like pretty much everyone else, really.
We absorb things so differently today. I mean, it feels quaint to think of taking a whole vacation day to just sit on the couch and read. I used to do that. I think I read “Ender’s Game” that way. And several of Moorcock’s Elric works. And … well, a lot of things. But I can’t remember the last time I just sat down for a day and did nothing but read.
I’m not saying this is good or bad. I’m just saying it’s different.
And who knows, maybe it’s just me.
At this rate I’ll finish “The Count…” sometime after Christmas. I wonder how it will hold up. Will I lose things? Probably, especially since the style of storytelling is so different these days from when Dumas wrote it. Of course, it was originally published in serial form, so maybe this will be the “right way” to read it.
Regardless, I find it’s enjoyable so far. I guess that’s a good part of why it’s a classic, eh?
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I also think I’ve finished another very short story titled “The Lunar Council Cares.” Just thought I would throw that in for posterity’s sake. Wouldn’t want anyone to think I was a total slacker.