My Love of Moll Flanders Died At 62% + My Current Literary Plate

I added Moll Flanders to my stack of reads the other day and gave it an honest and strong effort. 

I know that sometimes 18th century literature can be meandering and repetitive, but I'm a sucker for stories about a young woman in desperate circumstances.

Well... this is no Tess of the D'Urbervilles. 

I felt bogged down. Claustrophobic. Sad. Overwhelmed.

The truth is that on a better day this would be the symbol of a great story and lovely writing, but this period in my life, Moll's constant misfortune (yet somehow simultaneously landing on good luck), lack of consequences (as it relates to the children), and repeated marriages (and vows of TRUE love with THIS one), was too much for me to bear.

I felt that I was closed in a small space with a tiny dusty window that refused to open. 

I did NOT like the experience of it. 

It's made me think twice about my plan to read Samuel Richardson's Clarissa. I will definitely still read it, but it will have to be next year's "behind the scenes slow deep read".

A trusted book friend said to read Clarissa quickly is the best way to experience it. While I take trusted bookish friends' advice, I read at my own pace and according to my own inclinations.

So... as with life, I will put Moll Flanders aside and move onto the next novel that I want to accompany me alongside my reading of In Search of Lost Time.

On my literary plate:

I should perhaps write about my ideas of a literary plate. A dining experience that I can take bites out of. It doesn't seem that clever now that I'm reading Dracula... the concept of "bites out of"... hmm

Reminders:

1. Read what calls to you
2. Read it in whatever manner you choose
3. Savor or devour the text according to your own inclinations
4. Accept suggestions, but use YOUR own judgement about works

Happy reading my slow living friends.