the reading

I find myself thinking about Dan's two comments in class, that the reading was depressing and that it kept slipping from his mind. I know both those feelings. The book is depressing because it is about someone who finds that he can no longer engage with his culture, he feels that it has been stolen from him and that he has nothing left. This is much like Paradise Now. He needs to find some kind of coherent act that will give him a way to respond to the horrors that he has witnessed. The book is about that predicament.

So yes, it is depressing and it will be worth reading if it explains something important or makes us more aware or brings us knowledge that is hard to find elsewhere. But this can not happen if the reading slips from your minds as you read.

When you find that happening, wake yourself up. Taking notes in one way to do this. If you find yourself confused, look back and you might be able to sort out the confusion. Don't read straight through. Refer back if you suddenly realize the importance of an earlier passage, or if you can't remember a character's name, or if you feel the need to remind yourself of what a character is like.

Moments of insight are good places to note in the text. I underline any passage that stands out as I read. That is how I keep track of what strikes me as important. When you finish reading, then you can look back at what you underlined or the notes you took. You will consolidate your understanding and then you will find the book more worthwhile to read.

And yes, the book will still be depressing but your learning from it has the opposite impact. You will be depressed by the reading but happy with your greater knowledge and awareness.