Have you ever re-read a book that you loved when you were a child? Did it have the same impact on you?

Question

When people asked me to name my favorite books from when I was a child, I could say without even thinking "The Giver" by Lois Lowry and "Singularity" (I don't remember the author). The images of these books stuck in my mind for years. They had such an impact on me.

I had been thinking of them lately and decided to read both of them again, and much to my disappointment, they were definitely not as amazing the second time around. I wish I hadn't read them as an adult, and had just left the memories of the books alone.

Any similar stories? Did you enjoy re-reading your childhood favorites or were you very disappointed?

Answer 1

I've regularly reviewed children's books for a number of years, and I'd say there are two main reasons why a favourite book from childhood can sometimes disappoint:

Firstly, memories are not the same as reality. The memory of a past event, (including the reading of a book) is stored along with the various feelings felt at that time, which are down to the context in which the memory was formed, (our age, emotional state, background etc). These cannot be repeated, (there's a saying that "You never get a second chance to make a first impression," and this certianly applies to your first impression of a book. An adult, with a mature perspective will rarely feel the same response to a children's book that he or she loved as a child. After all, the book was designed for children.

The second reason is down to writing styles. All genres have altered somewhat over the passing years, but none more so than children's fiction. In Victorian times, the narrative voice was condescending and stories generally built around an "improving" moral. By the mid 1950's books, like those by Enid Blyton, were much more fun, but their attitudes to race and class, (which were barely noticiable at the time) now make for uncomfortable reading.

However, it is perhaps only during the last decade or two that children's novels have matured to the same standard expected of adult literature. This is partly due to the fact that it is now considered perfectly acceptable for an adult to read children's literature, (something almost unheard of 30 years ago). Plots have become more complex, characters better developed, and pace and dramatic tension have improved enormously. Writers have HAD to respond to the changing tastes of readers. These days children are exposed to highly sophisticated films and TV programs with snappy dialogue. Think of how the wrting has evolved for TV sitcoms over tha last two decades; children's books have had to do the same. It is no longer considered acceptable to simply "tell" the story in the authorial voice of a narrator, but the author must "show" the reader what the characters are feeling.

If you are a regular reader of contemporary fiction, then it is almost inevitable that returning to old favourites from childhood will be a disappointment. Although the underlying tale may be great, the style of story telling often, (though not always), feels clumsy, and the pacing pedestrian. Readers who enjoy re-reading a childhood favourite have, perhaps, read little in the intervening years, or re-read a favourite story so regularly and frequently that they've never really forgotten it. It's only when you return to a book after a prolonged absence that it suddenly seems dated. The only books that seem to improve after a prolonged absence are picture books; as a young child we would've responded primarily to the illustrations, but as an adult we may be better equiped to appreciate a succinctly worded story and grasp its message.

If you have a deeply happy memory of a book from childhood, I'd advise cherishing the memory and avoid trying to recapture the experience!

Answer 2

For you to understand that a country is more than a landmass, etc., I will suggest that you watch the news for 30 minutes a day. You'll see that Syria, North Korea, Libya, Iran, and other governments treat their citizens very differently from the way the rich is America are required to treat its citizens. Read some about the middle ages and serfdom. Read about how the Irish farmers were treated before many emigrated to the U.S. Most people don't join the military because of patriotism. Even so, patriotism is not about a country; it is about a way of life, having freedoms and liberty. Only by learning about the places which do not have liberty and freedom can you understand why it is worth dieing for.

Answer 3

In most cases, I enjoy the memories the books bring rather than the story itself. In some cases, like the Chronicles of Narnia, I picked up a lot more because I understood things better (for example, he gives a tongue-in-cheek political rant at one point that I completely missed when I read them in 3rd grade) I am sometimes surprised at how simple the books seem though- and that depends on the book.

Answer 4

I re-read Narnia not so long ago and was horrified by the allusions the author makes - all very seedy! But essentially still an excellent book. I like to re-read my picture books from childhood, too, as you get so much more from them in terms of what the visual aspect offered you as a child.

Answer 5

I love to reread old childhood favorites. One of which is "Charlotte's Web" and the chapter where Charlotte dies still makes me cry. I've yet to be disappointed by rereading old favorites, but that might be because I've reread them so many times, I practically have the stories memorized. The images from these books are so burned into my mind I don't think they could ever be changed.

Answer 6

As a child, I enjoy lots of books by Enid Blyton particularly The Wishing Chair and The Enchanted Wood...I did get to re-read it as an adult and I'm still spellbounded by the simplicity of a child's imagination...As an adult, I would atill very much welcome the comforts of a Wishing Chair to espace from this real world...Same goes to the Faraway Tree in the Enchanted Wood...With all the characters that lives in it...Hehehe...An escape from my hectic life...

Answer 7

When I was little I read The Ugly Dukling and it was kind of pretty. I read it again a few days ago and it was so much better cause now I understand what it should be for him to feel rejected by everybody and now I know the tenderness of this story

Answer 8

I read Enid Blyton as a kid. The Five series, Adventures of the Wishing Chair I found one of her books recently and sat down to re-enjoy it and was bitterly disappointed. I should have stayed with my good memories! Shame.

Answer 9

My favorite book as a child was the Hobbit by Tolkien. When my son was about four years old I began reading it to him. There are long stretches of the book I find tedious and boring, so just like my own reading habit, I skimmed over them. It was a great experience to see my son enjoy one of my personal favorites.

I wonder what impression he will have when he is old enough to read it for himself or to his own children?

Mrhaggard

Answer 10

It has happened to me and it is interesting isn't it? I think it has something to do with the fact that reading a book is a two way street. The book offers you something and you respond to it. What was precious to you remains precious- your response. Maybe you can reclaim the way those books made you feel and think when you first read them by thinking about what it was that meant so much to you at the time and the way they influenced you, rather than the books themselves.