What you mention regarding coming to a classic out of a sense that one should read it is true for many books. But I first read Jane Eyre when I was in 4th grade and had no real idea of it as a "classic" - since then I have deeply loved this book. I've re-read it countless times and the thought that anyone would try to recreate it...well, just doesn't work for me.

The reason Wide Sargasso Sea works is that it takes a different time and a different perspective instead of recreating the story.

I have seen a lot about this book but wasn't really aware of the JE take. Definitely won't pick this one up.

This is such a great post! I read Moby Dick for a class years ago and loved it, but there were definitely parts that were difficult to get through. Your tips are fantastic, and this is such great reading for students especially.

Happy belated birthday! I was so glad to see you in my feed again. Life is busy. And this week I've been down because my Internet connection was lost so no blog! Grr. It's been frustrating.

And to you! I know it's been a rough year for you, but it seems like you're really enjoying where you are. And I definitely want to read The Disappearing Spoon!
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Awesome post! I really enjoyed this book as well, and as you mention, I loved the sources section. It truly was fascinating and showed what a great job Larson did with the materials he had.

Oh. My. Gosh. Adorable. I love that age when they are so NOT scared and talk and make things up. It's amazing to watch.

Oh my gosh, I so loved that Super BBC book too. Cannot wait for BEA!

I didn't used to be a cryer, but I am these days. I'm so sorry to hear you're having a rough time; I've been worried about you since I hadn't seen you here or on Twitter.

Sometimes vegging in front of the TV is the only way to get past stuff.

A couple things:

A. the mother-child connection is NEVER a definite, and I think it's dangerous to assume it is. Plenty of women leave their children - or worse. We don't assume this of men because it's not "natural." Why then, is it "natural" for women? It isn't always.

B. Nora leaving her children. You're right, I think, about the nanny being the buffer, but more than that, there are several pivotal scenes where Torvald discusses why children grow up to be bad (Krogstad). According to him, it's always the mother's fault. So, in her mind, she isn't good for her children because she forged and lied. And, she sees the children happy with the nanny. She doesn't really know them.

I've always found it interesting that Nora's original decision is so selfless, to save her husband, yet the way she is forced to go about it ruins her life, in some sense (though she may argue quite the opposite). I find it a fascinating play, and like many, I think seeing it may help some of the awkwardness of reading a play.

PS - I certainly "get" why you and others immediately get upset about Nora leaving her children. I just want to offer alternatives to that way of thinking - not because I encourage moms leaving kids but because I think we need to make space in society for moms who don't totally love being a mom. Maybe if they understood there are mothers out there who are exhausted and feel disconnected, they wouldn't feel it necessary to leave.

I have not yet read this one, though I loved Remains of the Day. I must say, though, this review and your use of analogy (and the museum visit itself!) blew me away. I've seen several reviews of this, but this is the first to make me want to run out and grab a copy.