GOOD READER

    Vladimir Nabokov explains the parameters of , in his opinion, what a talented writer or author and a good sound reader should possess to allow a novel, story, article or essay to be more than words or ideas left on a numbered page. In Nabokov’s’ essay “GOOD READERS AND GOOD WRITERS”, he explains the connection that should be made between the author and the reader as well as what the qualities a good reader should have in order to fully enjoy the world the writer has created . The way Nabokov explains his theory is that a good writer should make the words come alive and dance of the page. The words and paragraphs should reach out and wrap themselves around the reader, bring them into a world they can hear, feel and sense, keep the reader from becoming the story. A good writer should possess the abilities to be able to put right next to the character without letting you, “the reader” become the characters. It’s as if you should be watching what is happening over the shoulder of the reality created on the page. Nabokov also hints that a good writer should be able to use great detail explaining a situation or scene without losing or boring the reader with unneeded explanations.   
  
   As for the reader Nabokov explains that a good reader should possess a combination of qualities to bring the best of the material. Good memory, imagination, identifying your taste and a good dictionary are some of the things or qualities a reader needs to fully enjoy what they are reading. A good reader should have an eye for detail in the book and appreciate the world that has been created. A good reader should identify them himself the characters in the book and find some common ground with them. This will make the reader more stimulating. A good reader should strive to see the underline messages and feeling the author is trying to create in the read.   

   While I am not much of a reader, I do agree with Mr. Vladimir and his take on what both a good reader and a good writer should possess to make the read worthwhile. I believe there need to be a connection between the reader and writer in order to share the vision in which the author is trying to create. I would consider myself an “ok” reader, I have to be constantly stimulated in a book to keep me interested. I need to feel a connection with the characters or settings in order to keep turning the pages and while I do possess a couple of the qualities the Nabokov suggests having, I definitely do NOT possess them all.

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