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The Jungle Book
Dec. 31st, 2011 11:49 amMy ebook reader is already changing my reading habits.
I've downloaded a load of classics, which is hardly surprising as they're free, but the big difference is that I'm actually reading them.
It's weight and convenience. My collected volume of Kipling is big, heavy, and hard to keep open on my book rest. That all makes it physically difficult for me to read. With my Sony ebook reader, I can take it anywhere, read anywhere and not strain my neck/shoulder by holding the pages open. I can even read it balanced on my knee, which I find impossible with hard copy.
Over the last few days, I've reread 'The Jungle Book':
I enjoyed this as an adult far more than I did as a child. When young, I expected the whole book to be about Mowgli. As an adult, I remembered that it was a collection of many things and thus wasn't disappointed. In fact, some of my favourites were not Mowgli stories. I particularly liked the story of the white seal.
I've downloaded a load of classics, which is hardly surprising as they're free, but the big difference is that I'm actually reading them.
It's weight and convenience. My collected volume of Kipling is big, heavy, and hard to keep open on my book rest. That all makes it physically difficult for me to read. With my Sony ebook reader, I can take it anywhere, read anywhere and not strain my neck/shoulder by holding the pages open. I can even read it balanced on my knee, which I find impossible with hard copy.
Over the last few days, I've reread 'The Jungle Book':
I enjoyed this as an adult far more than I did as a child. When young, I expected the whole book to be about Mowgli. As an adult, I remembered that it was a collection of many things and thus wasn't disappointed. In fact, some of my favourites were not Mowgli stories. I particularly liked the story of the white seal.
Kipling has a real gift with words (reminds me a little of Ursula le Guin) and some of his tales read like myth.
I also appreciate the poems a lot more now. Kipling has a wonderful sense of rhythm, which I totally failed to appreciate when younger, but now really love.
A small bonus for me was realising that the poem with 'Her Majesty's Servants' was set to the rhythm of several songs that I knew. When he talks of the cavalry cantering to 'Bonnie Dundee', the metre is that of 'Bonnie Dundee'. He also works 'British Grenadiers' and 'Lincolnshire Poacher' into the same poem.
Just read the poem here - and see the way he uses rhythm. Each of the animals used by the army (elephants and bullocks hauling guns, mules carrying packs on hilly routes (a screw-gun was carried in parts and screwed together when used), camels carrying loads, and also cavalry horses) has its own rhythm. Ideally, read it aloud. Of all the poets I know, Kipling seems to benefit most from being read aloud.
Just read the poem here - and see the way he uses rhythm. Each of the animals used by the army (elephants and bullocks hauling guns, mules carrying packs on hilly routes (a screw-gun was carried in parts and screwed together when used), camels carrying loads, and also cavalry horses) has its own rhythm. Ideally, read it aloud. Of all the poets I know, Kipling seems to benefit most from being read aloud.
