Although an avid reader I don’t tend to revisit those books I have read.
In my early teens, around 1967/8, when I would have been aged about 16, I bought a paperback copy of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.
I am amazed to say, I actually enjoyed it.
Mostly.
But I didn’t get it! Aged sixteen it’s hardly surprising that I missed the point. My brain wasn’t subtle enough to home in on the message of the absurdity of war.
A few years later, in 1970, I watched the Mike Nichols directed movie starring Alan Arkin and although it didn’t stick to the storyline it was close enough to act as a key to unlock the book for me.
So, two or three years later, I dug out my copy of the book, and read it again. Needless to say it was much better the second time round.
Later still, sometime in 2019, I watched the George Clooney produced miniseries. Clooney also co-starred.
So Catch-22 is the only book that I have read more than once.
As an afterthought I submit JRR Tolkiens Lord of The Rings trilogy which attempted to read, several times.
Technically one could say I reread it several times. In truth it was really a case of several restarts as it took me a couple of years before I was able to focus long enough for me to complete the trilogy.
The reality is that although I have probably read thousands of books. There are just too many more out there waiting to be read.
At the age of 74 I haven’t enough time left to read them. Let alone re-read them.
WrAnTz 