Ever since my audiobook-provider added a free library to their offering, I’ve been reading classics on a regular basis. How can you say no to free audiobooks? Besides from discovering new classics, I’ve also enjoyed rereading old favourites. But which ones have stood the test of time?
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I loved this novel, when I first read it years ago and I still loved in 2022. The New York setting, the Jazz Age, the American dream, the parties, the crash down to reality… Everything is so evocative and the characters with all their faults and weaknesses are utterly fascinating. The story still made a huge impression when I reread in 2022.
Was anything different this time? Annoyingly, I saw Leonardo DiCaprio for my inner eye every time Gatsby was mentioned. Not sure that was an improvement. Also, I might have discovered more nuances in the novel at the second read. Verdict? Still a favourite!
Title: The Great Gatsby [1925] Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald Format: Audiobook, narrated by Jake Gyllenhal Genre: Classics
Heidi by Johanne Spyri
As a child, I wanted to be like Heidi, running around in the mountains surrounded by goats. Heidi was one of the books which defined my childhood and I couldn’t resist picking up the audiobook.
Not good. Why did I love this book so much as a child? Admittedly, the scenes in the mountains were still wonderful, but Heidi was overly sweet and innocent (my old cynical self sometimes wanted to slap her), the storyline was unrealistic and the religious messages felt too “on the nose”. I didn’t pay any attention to the religious aspect as a child, which I found strange when rereading. But then again, I never discovered the religious parallels in the Narnia series either, so maybe I just wasn’t very observant back then.
I’m sad to conclude, I should have left this book in my childhood.
Title: Heidi [1880] Author: Johanne Spyri Format: Audiobook, narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith Genre: Classics
John Wyndham binge
The Day of the Triffids was one of the first books I read in English (which isn’t my first language). Since then it has held a special place in my heart. The Chrysalids later became another favourite, whereas The Midwich Cuckoos made less of an impression.
It appears, my appreciation of Wyndham hasn’t changed much. When rereading, I still loved The Triffids and The Chrysalids and liked The Midwich Cuckoos. Wyndham is a master in solid, old-fashioned storytelling, which captivates from page one. Furthermore he adds a surprising amount of social commentary and food-for-thought about our civilisation and its weaknesses. But it’s completely integrated in the story and doesn’t affect the flow.
One thing I didn’t pay attention to the first time around was Wyndham’s female characters. In some of his books the majority of the women come across as ignorant. In others they are just occupied with normal mundane tasks, whereas the men take daring initiatives and have big philosophical discussions. However, I can excuse this as being a product of its time.
Title: The Day of the Triffids [19651], The Chrysalids [1955], The Midwich Cuckoos [1957] Author: John Wyndham Format: Audiobook, narrated by Kingsley Ben-Adir, Noah Reid, Stephen Fry Genre: Classics
So all in all, my rereading has been successful so far. Do you enjoy rereading? And do you find classics more likely to hold up for a reread than contemporary literature?
It is interesting how our reactions to books change over time.
I’ve read these books – some many years ago. I loved the Heidi books as a child and have been reluctant to re-read them as I don’t want to spoil my memories of them, as happened when I re-read Little Women. Like you I hadn’t noticed the religious aspects as a child. I only read The Great Gatsby a few years ago, after seeing the film, so, of course, I saw Leonardo DiCaprio in my mind when I read it – that’s one of the drawbacks of watching a film, I suppose. Watching The Lord of the Rings films has spoiled my images of the characters! It’s not easy to visualise them as I first imagined them.
Yes, I think sometimes it’s best not to reread your favourites from childhood. It’s difficult to predict which ones will hold up to be read as an adult. But as Jane said in another comment, maybe I should just forget the aspects I didn’t like a remember the good parts.
Lord of the Rings is an excellent example where you start connecting the characters with the versions from the film adaptation. I am unable to visualise the characters as I first imagined them. I loved the films though, so I don’t mind too much.
I’ve been thinking of listening to Gatsby while I’ve got my audible subscription, but I’m not sure as I’ve tried it a few times before and found it really boring. Is Jake Gyllenhal a good narrator?
Ah, I can see why some readers find it boring. There isn’t too much plot, it’s mostly about the atmosphere, the setting and the characters (and the American dream…). I thought Jake Gyllenhal’s narration suited the story well, but I think his performance got rather mixed reviews.
I wish I re-read more. But there’s always another new book tempting me. I can imagine Heidi wouldn’t stand the test of time. Best to leave well alone!
I know the feeling of new books being more tempting, but I’ve started to reread more after taking up audiobooks. After all, I always listen to audiobooks, whilst doing something else so it isn’t “wasted” time. Especially, when I am on a noisy commute or similar, it’s quite nice to listen to a book I am already familiar with.
You and other bloggers speak of the advantages of audio books. I’m not that tempted because I know I don’t really concentrate when doing something else too. Maybe I should give it a go though.
I believe listening to audiobooks are a matter of habit. Maybe give it a go next time you have a long train or plane journey ahead?
Yep, this is quite a good idea. Though it’s also great to use the time to get a really long stretch reading That Book you’ve been meaning to read for a long time.
Good point. Another possibility: Start listening to a (not too complex) audiobook, whilst doing boring routine work, such as cleaning the house or sorting out the laundry.
A good idea! I’ll get my act together eventually. Haven’t you realised that all my excuses are just a means of putting off getting organised? 😉
😆
I don’t reread frequently but I do find myself going back to the Lord of the Rings trilogy every now and then, haha! I’ve yet to reread Heidi and the Great Gatsby but I don’t expect my opinions to change drastically 🤔😂
I like to reread Lord of the Rings as well. It’s a story which it’s difficult to tire of. 🙂 Haha, you are still so young, so maybe your views won’t have changed much compared to the first time you read Heidi or Gatsby.
I enjoyed this post.
I read Gatsby recently and did not like it at all, it was too depressing for me (at this time in my life). But I do plan to reread it and I think I will see more in the book now that I know what to expect.
And you have inspired me to read something by John Wyndham, so that is very good.
Gatsby is very depressing and I can see you may have to be in the right mood for it. For some reason, I often get on well with sad or depressing books. My favourite books include Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go. Also, I am reading Jude the Obscure at the moment – maybe my fondness for depressing books will be tested to the limit with that one!
I generally stay away from the classics, but have enjoyed some – “Rebecca” for example.
Fair enough. Rebecca is a favourite for many readers. I like to mix it up and read classics, contemporary and different genres as well.
The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite classics too. It’s so accessible. I did not watch the movie, however, and I think I would be annoyed to read it and see Leonardo DiCaprio. 😂🤣
Haha, yes DiCaprio wasn’t really how I imagined Gatsby, when I first read the novel, but now I can’t dissociate him from the character! Wise choice not to watch the movie!
I detest seeing an actor as a character in my mind’s eye when reading, so always prefer to read the book then watch the film if possible. I enjoyed The Great Gatsby more the second time, after seeing the film with Leonardo DiCaprio though. I think what I took most from the film was the swirling excess, which Baz Luhrman does really well.
Heidi…what a shame it didn’t hold up for you. I can’t remember the religious elements either. Don’t think I’ll re-read this.
This was such an interesting mix that I’m already looking forward to your next batch of re-reads 🙂
I much prefer to read the book before watching the film adaptation as well. But apparently it’s impossible to dissociate DiCaprio with Gatsby, once you have watched the adaption, even if reading the book before. Ah well… Yes, the setting and atmosphere really was amazing! Interesting, that you enjoyed the novel more after watching the film.
Based on my experience, I wouldn’t recommend rereading Heidi. It’s interesting how some childhood favourites hold up whereas others disappoint massively. When listening to a few Winnie The Pooh stories last year, I still found them great fun!
Glad that Winnie the Pooh still charmed you 🙂 I loved the poems from When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six best as a child and still have fond memories of them. I wish I’d kept my copies of these books but have no idea where they ended up. Hopefully with someone who also loved them!
Ah, I didn’t read those poems as a child, but most likely they would still be enjoyable if read today. Yeah, generally I am the Marie Kondo type of person, who only keeps a minimum of possessions, so all my physical books are long gone. Today I only own ebooks and audiobooks (+ a few selective physical copies).
Sometimes I think I’d like to rid myself of most of my possessions too, it must be very freeing.
I like the idea of not having too many possessions. Besides from providing freedom, it’s also a matter of convenience. Central London apartments are expensive, but not very large and those of us who are renting typically move on a regular basis to keep the rent down. So a limited amount of stuff makes life easier! 😁
There is nothing like an upcoming move to inspire a good ‘throw-out’ 🙂
Exactly!
I do enjoy re-reading a lot. And although I am tempted to re-read classics like Picture of Dorian Gray or Pride and Prejudice, there are certainly many contemporary reads that I’ve enjoyed reading multiple times, like Gone Girl and Moth Smoke.
I read Gatsby as a kid and I did not care for it then. I certainly did not like the movie. Like you, I also read Heidi for the first time as a kid, and seeing your perfect description of it, I’m gonna leave it be.
Thank you for this wonderful post. I really enjoyed reading it.
Absolutely, there are also contemporary books, which are great for rereading, it doesn’t have to be classics. It’s interesting that a thriller like Gone Girl works though, because all the twists and turns don’t come as a surprise when rereading.
I can easily see why you didn’t enjoy Gatsby as a child, perhaps you’d enjoy it more if you read it today?
Aww, I am glad you enjoyed the post! 😀
You chose three great books to re-read there. I tried The Brothers Karamazov from among the freebies recently, but the narration was so poor I gave up! Perhaps that’s why it was free!
Ah too bad about The Brothers Karamazov. The narration really is important, I always listen to an extract, before downloading an audiobook.
I’m not fond of re-reading, though there are exceptions – I used to re-read Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit many times. But with most books, I just prefer to pick new to me ones instead of re-reading. Too many books, too little time! 😉
I have started to reread more though after discovering audiobooks. Since I always listen whilst doing something else at the same time, it doesn’t feel like waste of time. When I am really tired and unfocused, I also find it comforting to reread. But yes, I hear what you say about “too many books…”.
Thinking about Heidi I think it’s fine to just go with the impression that it’s left with us – running around in the mountains with wild flowers or snow and all the goats and sharing a loving relationship with your grandfather is gorgeous! I’m the same, I didn’t see anything religious and probably just went along with the cuteness and now I think of her and goats and bells!
Of course, you are absolutely right. One should focus on the good aspects of the story (and try to ignore the rest). I will still think back with fondness on Heidi, since it is connected with so many childhood memories. I was convinced back then, that I would live in the mountains as an adult. How I ended up in London is anyones guess…😁
PS. I have tried to comment on your latest posts, but my comments seem to disappear. Maybe you’ll find them in your spam filter?
I don’t seem to have time for re-reading – always too many new books to discover. But I’m also nervous about re-reading a favourite and maybe discovering I don’t like it that much after all. It would spoil my first experience.
Religious connections in Heidi – what a surprise, I wasn’t aware of them when I read them as a child
I can understand why many readers prefer to discover new books instead of rereading. Since I discovered audiobooks, I’ve found myself rereading more, though. Audiobooks are a different experience (and for me much more enjoyable).
The risk of spoiling an old favourite by rereading is probably highest for books we’ve read in childhood or as a teen. After all, it would be strange if our taste hadn’t changed since then. I don’t think, I’ve had any radical changes in opinion about books I’ve read as an adult.
I’m reading The Reivers, which is the final novel by William Faulkner. It’s wordy as can be, but quite delightful nonetheless.
I haven’t read anything by William Faulkner, but he is definitely on my list of authors to try out.
Yeah I don’t do too much rereading but the rereading I do is usually with classics. For some reason it’s more fun rereading classics. And I too reread The Great Gatsby before the Leo movie came out and liked it just as well as from the time in high school. Thumbs up!
Maybe classics are more likely to hold up when rereading? Glad to hear you also enjoyed Gatsby the second time around!
I’ve always been meaning to reread some novels, notably some of the classics that I adored so far but haven’t tried to do so yet. Sorry to see that one book from your childhood that didn’t stand the test of time. I hate when that happens. You did pique my curiosity regarding your first language. May I ask what it is? 😮 Dutch (I don’t know why this came to my mind first hahah)?
Of course you can ask. Even if I blog anonymously, I don’t think it’s a secret, that I am originally from Denmark. Dutch wasn’t a bad guess at all, there are some similarities in the tone of the language between Danish and Dutch. I think it’s quite fun to reread once in a while, especially since I do it via audiobooks, which is a different (and in my opinion often better) experience compared to traditional reading.