How to force yourself to like a book you hate

As part of A level English, I have to read Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which is a really tragic book with a majorly hypocritical character who annoys me to no end. But since it's A level, I have to read it well AND analyse it. Any advice that could help me to enjoy the book?

Reply 1

sound-famous-

13

Original post by Lignum Vitae

As part of A level English, I have to read Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which is a really tragic book with a majorly hypocritical character who annoys me to no end. But since it's A level, I have to read it well AND analyse it. Any advice that could help me to enjoy the book?

I studied Tess last year, and at first I disliked it because I found it hard to read and understand but it grew on me as we read it and now I don't mind it so much.

This may or may not be helpful, but I don't think you need to like a book to study it. Instead of trying to force yourself to like it, recognise the perspective with which you approach the book and let it inform your analysis. Do also be open to other interpretations though. Studying literature, I find, is impossible without having an open mind to other perspectives.

I am interested though in why you think she is hypocritical?

Reply 2

Low2007

3

Original post by Lignum Vitae

As part of A level English, I have to read Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which is a really tragic book with a majorly hypocritical character who annoys me to no end. But since it's A level, I have to read it well AND analyse it. Any advice that could help me to enjoy the book?

its okay to hate a book

Original post by Lignum Vitae

As part of A level English, I have to read Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which is a really tragic book with a majorly hypocritical character who annoys me to no end. But since it's A level, I have to read it well AND analyse it. Any advice that could help me to enjoy the book?

Hi Lignum,

I was not a fan of the book I had to study for my English lit either (though only GCSE, I did not do A level) - its normal and everyone's preferences are different. As has been said, try to think of the approach that your perspective brings to the book. Something that helped me to engage more with the book I studied was by watching the film they made of it. I found it a good way to consolidate the classwork. There is a film of Tess out there - its a little dated now as it was made in 1998 but it might be worth a shot!

I hope this helps, best of luck!

Holly
University of Bath

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 4

shrif1010

6

Original post by Lignum Vitae

As part of A level English, I have to read Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which is a really tragic book with a majorly hypocritical character who annoys me to no end. But since it's A level, I have to read it well AND analyse it. Any advice that could help me to enjoy the book?

Does anyone here who does A Level English happen to do Beloved (NOT as coursework by the way), could really use some advice

Reply 5

Lignum Vitae

OP

7

Original post by sound-famous-

I studied Tess last year, and at first I disliked it because I found it hard to read and understand but it grew on me as we read it and now I don't mind it so much.
This may or may not be helpful, but I don't think you need to like a book to study it. Instead of trying to force yourself to like it, recognise the perspective with which you approach the book and let it inform your analysis. Do also be open to other interpretations though. Studying literature, I find, is impossible without having an open mind to other perspectives.
I am interested though in why you think she is hypocritical?

Tess isn't hypocritical, I was talking about Angel. It's 'fine' that he hooks up with prostitutes before marriage, but he is horrible to Tess when she was a victim of assault

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 6

Lignum Vitae

OP

7

Original post by University of Bath

Hi Lignum,
I was not a fan of the book I had to study for my English lit either (though only GCSE, I did not do A level) - its normal and everyone's preferences are different. As has been said, try to think of the approach that your perspective brings to the book. Something that helped me to engage more with the book I studied was by watching the film they made of it. I found it a good way to consolidate the classwork. There is a film of Tess out there - its a little dated now as it was made in 1998 but it might be worth a shot!
I hope this helps, best of luck!
Holly
University of Bath

Thank you so much for the advice! 😁

Reply 7

Lignum Vitae

OP

7

Original post by sound-famous-

I studied Tess last year, and at first I disliked it because I found it hard to read and understand but it grew on me as we read it and now I don't mind it so much.
This may or may not be helpful, but I don't think you need to like a book to study it. Instead of trying to force yourself to like it, recognise the perspective with which you approach the book and let it inform your analysis. Do also be open to other interpretations though. Studying literature, I find, is impossible without having an open mind to other perspectives.
I am interested though in why you think she is hypocritical?

Thank you for the advice :smile:

Reply 8

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

I suspect the hypocrisy and character flaws are deliberate and relate to other themes of the book.

Literary characters are not like characters in a TV show or popular novels - they usually do have (often irredeemable) flaws, and they're not supposed to be likeable (at least not necessarily). This is often the foundation of the conflict driving the narrative and/or an essential part of the character or even genre (see for example tragedy).

Also in general as above liking a book isn't a prerequisite for doing literary analysis on it! A dispassionate view may be helpful in any event.