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/lit/ - Literature

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1030361 No.1030361 [Reply] [Original]

Well /lit/,

I come to you in search of help and guidance. I am newly into college and they are having us write an essay of A Tale of Two Cities. Unfortunately my high school never had it as required reading.

I just got the book today, and I have a hard time reading novels such as this. I don't know why -- I just seem to be better off reading books with a little fantasy twist.

Any who, tell me your opinions about this book, /lit/. I would appreciate it.

>> No.1030365

>I just got the book today, and I have a hard time reading novels such as this. I don't know why -- I just seem to be better off reading books with a little fantasy twist.

Quit college now before it's too late. There are better ways to make money anyway

>> No.1030372

i love this book sydney carton is the man

>> No.1030373
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1030373

>He's never heard about Sparknotes

>> No.1030376

>>1030365
No, I'm happy in college. I have a free ride, so..

>> No.1030378

>>1030373
I don't want to use Sparknotes. It's for lazy fucks.
>Implying I'm male

>> No.1030383
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1030383

>>1030378
>sparknotes is for lazy fucks
>not reading a class assignment

>> No.1030387
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1030387

>>1030373
Oh god sparknotes. Those things are for people who are only in school to ensure they will get a good salary.

>> No.1030393

>>1030383
You obviously use them. Where the fuck do I say I'm not reading the book? I just want to hear your guys' opinions on the book itself or perhaps some help to get into the story. I'm on page 42 and it's just horrid.

>> No.1030395

OP, I used to be just like you. Granted, I was 15, but I am still somewhat sympathetic to your situation.

Your problem isn't really the setting, it's a mixture over psyching yourself out over something you've been told will be overwhelmingly dense and/or boring, and the vocabulary and cadence of earlier writing.

The best way to get over this is to read works that are from the same era, or just pre WW1 in general, that are smaller, less imposing, and may have a genre twist to keep your interest. Books like The time Machine and Invisible Man are very short by today's standards (or Dickens' standards lulz). You could also try short pulp stories like Conan Doyle or even Lovecraft (later, but still effective for your purposes).

Eventually you will be accustomed to the verbosity, vocabulary, pacing, and style of older fiction and it will be much easier to read unutterably dry shit like Tale of Two Cities.

That's a ways off though, for this book, this class, right now, just get the Sparknotes.

>> No.1030413
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1030413

>>1030395
If you use sparknotes GET THE FUCK OFF /LIT/!!!!!!!!!!!!

>> No.1030426

>>1030395
Thanks for the advice but I would rather not use Sparknotes.

>> No.1030432

>>1030361

I hope you're not an English major, or if you are you want to teach or have double majored/minored in something practical.

Liberal arts graduate here :(

>> No.1030458

>>1030432
No, it's just a required class for incoming Freshman.