Only in Poland, nearly 34,000 books were published last year. Add to that the books published in other countries (and languages – because Polish readers reach for those too). And on top of all this, we – readers – sometimes have the luxury of having an average half an hour a day to devote to reading. I use the word „luxury” deliberately, because even big book lovers have other interests, and their very limited free time needs to be divided equally, or in some way fairly.
I have a whole list of books I’d like to read, plus a stack of books at home waiting to be read, and new book recommendations keep popping up. Despite my overwhelming desire to read absolutely everything I want (and even more), I have to choose. My recent book choice was „Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney – a book that has recently become very popular and recommended not only by many critics, but also readers. Since I also enjoy discussing about books, and the „I haven’t read it but I’ll comment” approach is far away from mine, I picked up Sally Rooney’s book with great hope.
Unfortunately, from the very beginning, I hit a reading block; words struggled to form sentences, and even, contrarily, remained separate words that accidentally ended up next to each other. I experienced increasing irritation as I read each sentence, and after three pages, I put the book down. I blamed it all on my general exhaustion and an inability to concentrate properly, although an interesting book could often instantly banish sleep and fatigue. I picked up „Intermezzo” again a few days later, and the same thing happened again! There was a lack of a natural flow in the reading – I was incredibly tired after reading individual words that refused to join into a single narrative. But I told myself: third time lucky!
I took a short break and gave myself, the author, and the translator another (final) chance. And… I failed again 🙁 It hasn’t happened to me that often to put a book down after reading just a few pages (maybe even I have never done it before?). But as I wrote at the beginning: there are so many interesting books in the world to discover, and I think there’s no point wasting our precious free time on books that don’t engage us, just so I can say: I’ve read them.
After this third failed attempt, I started to read other readers’ opinions. I admit, when I don’t like a book or a film widely considered good or great, I check to see if I’m the only one with a different opinion (or maybe the only one who has the courage to admit to a different opinion?). It turned out that there were repeated opinions that the book picks up after the first 100 pages! I admire people who were so persistent and waited those 100 pages for the plot to gain momentum, or perhaps the language to change? Unfortunately, I didn’t have that courage or hope – even though I gave myself and the book three chances.
I don’t know if it’s the author’s style or the translator’s style (although I came across an opinion on a Spanish book blog that there must have been something wrong with the translation, because the book was difficult to read) or maybe I’m the one who can’t appreciate „Intermezzo”?
But I know that life is too short to spend our free time on something that doesn’t bring us the slightest pleasure. Or even causes discomfort! Just so I can publicly say: >”Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney? Of course I read it!”<
And what are your impressions of „Intermezzo”?