Like youth itself, great literature is wasted on the young. When I was a young college student, I'd read a book and think am I being entertained? Do I like/dislike this? Do I like/dislike this character? Do I give a shit? Now when I read something I think oh man, I know somebody JUST like this/that, boy I've gone through this/that. I know EXACTLY what ---- is thinking here. Less has to be said by the author for me to say oh man, I know what's happening, don't do it!!!!! etc. The older I get, the more reading is an endless stream of personal connections.
Also - don't read Whitman til you've been in NYC for awhile (even if only a coupla weeks.) I remember that hitting me in the noggin back in 1998.
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