My exploration of literature for the Florida Trip has been postponed by one of my students. Normally, my English 10 students don’t recommend great literature. I love them all, but they just don’t — as a general rule — see the beauty in quality writing. (If I see another book report about Holes, I’m going to go postal.) My journalism students, however, are a more varied lot, and the occasional AP student graces my room. Such is the case with Chase, who asked me what I was currently reading.
I told him about the Florida Trip. He didn’t seem impressed with my list of books.
“Have you ever read Crime and Punishment?” he asked.
“Of course!” I said. “In high school.”
This is a lie. It’s the same lie I use when I’m a bit embarrassed that I haven’t read an important piece of literature. When my students ask my opinon of a book, I remind them that I graduated in 1988 and I don’t really remember a lot of the details of anything that happened in the 80s. They always say something like, “Holy crap. That was a long time ago. Never mind. Do you need to sit down?” The only exception to this scenario is Heart of Darkness, which I really haven’t read since high school, but I loved it and I remember every single detail.
“Well, I’m reading Crime and Punishment right now, and I’m a little curious about your reaction to it.”
And, quite unexpectedly, he presented me a copy of the book for Christmas, a gift that probably breaks the new Alabama ethics rule because the book has resale value. The irony of this no longer shocks me.
So, I’ve been reading Crime and Punishment, and I’m loving it. Those Russian novelists craft characters like no one else in the world.
And I’m glad that Chase gave me this little break from reading about the Florida trip.
biciclettalento 