Bayard
“How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read” by Pierre Bayard
The irony of a non-reading professor issuing reading assignments to his students, and authoring a book presenting non-reading techniques on how to talk about books you haven’t read, is not lost on me. As I read “How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read”, Bayard relieved me of the pressure to read every book I come across and even granted me permission to speak about the books as if I have read them, or at best, skimmed them. It was comical how much time and effort he spent on writing a book on how not to read, almost as if he’s committed to not reading books and persuading others to be non-readers. When describing his students attempting to discuss books they haven’t read, he speaks with admiration as he says, “And it is also unsurprising that their comments-however far removed from the initial text…bring to the encounter an originality that they would undoubtedly have lacked had they undertaken to read the book.” (Kindle, 1182). This statement was laugh out-loud funny to me. Where was he when I was in school? I would have loved a teacher who admired my originality and creativity in feigning an interpretation of an assigned book I hadn’t read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the advice offered to avoid potentially embarrassing situations when you haven’t read the book but are expected to have read it. After a whole chapter discussing the unfortunate event you find yourself meeting the author of the book you haven’t read, he summarizes it with this one sentence: “praise it without going into detail”, as the author just wants to know “that you like what he wrote.” (Kindle, 1350). Or in other words “just stroke the author’s ego”. Again, he offers sound yet subtle advice when discussing a book with someone you love. By using the movie Groundhog’s Day, he emphasizes the importance of connecting with people by becoming interested in others and expressing kindness verses making a connection in matching wits with literature reads. He stresses the importance of sharing the “inner library” with someone being helpful in building a romantic compatibility, but not as critical as building a caring connection.
Sage advice was subtly and discreetly scattered throughout the book. Dismissing the shame about not reading thoroughly and being true to ourselves in the learning process was music to my ears. He encouraged his readers to be free from sounding or acting cultivated but to spend our energy on being our authentic selves throughout the learning process. As a therapist, I find myself constantly helping people recover from internal shame, and I found myself releasing the shame from my own unsuccessful educational experiences. I really loved this beautiful, freeing advice from an academic mind who would traditionally chide me for not reading more thoroughly. In an academic world, it is common to feel foolish or silly if you don’t understand the concepts and to give the impression you do. I look forward to applying his non-reading principles, avoiding performance with learning, and enjoying the learning process that is true to me.
Ironically, I just found myself talking about the book Moby Dick to a zealous student who is undertaking the arduous read. I began to discuss the underlying theme in the book as if I read it, then paused to confess “I haven’t read it” before continuing the discourse. After reading this book, I don’t feel obligated to confess this and will carry on unapologetically, not in an effort to impress but rather to connect.
About the Author
Jennifer Dean-Hill
8 responses to “Bayard”
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Reading his book on not reading a book is comical. I love your bringing out the humor in the concept.
He speaks on the inner library as you pointed out in your post. Please share some of your inner library?
Sue Monk Kidd, Sarah Bessey, and Erwin McMannus…just a few of my favorites:)
First of all I love your Moby Dick story…LOL. Second, I appreciated the way he spent a whole section of his book on “Ways to Behave”. He did emphasize the importance of the encounter shaping how we understand and learn then the actual act of reading the book.
The feeling of shame is real and I like how he wrote that it stemmed from our childhood. This is so true. Unfortunately as adults our fear of shame in discussion keeps us from truly experiencing the encounter that Bayard talks about in his book. No more shame…finally freedom 🙂
The shame element is interesting, I think. These books do seem to “give permission” to skim and read superficially, and to fake it til you make it! With me, I think it’s less shame, and more dissatisfaction or frustration at not doing something thoroughly. I still feel a little cheated if I haven’t really read a book “properly” – though the further along in this process we go, the more I think I will get over this!
I just had lunch today with two English professors who remarked that Moby Dick is the most common book “not read” by English professors!
They, having recently completed their doctorates, also shared with me about the common ailment, “Impostors Syndrome” that doctoral students face; that is, we feel as if we’re not qualified to be in the program we’re in, not as capable as our peers. All I could do was nod in agreement. I think this tendency reflects our embarrassment and fear that others may discover we’re not as well put together as we try to appear. Both Bayard’s challenge and my friends’ encouragement spoke volumes to me.
Thanks for the story and the connection to the book, Jennifer!
I have to say, I have never felt compelled to tell anyone that I haven’t read the book I am talking to them about!
I think it is interesting though where we come down on why we do this…. I am fully owning the shame, but I also resonate with Geoff’s pushback that it is more about dissatisfaction or regret…. either way we want to be and do more than we usually are able to be or do. And maybe the willingness to admit that is an important first step…. could it really be so simple….’Moby Dick? Never read it.’
Well, Jen, you are the most qualified to give us advice on shame and guilt! (not the same thing of course.) I have decided to avoid guilt by bucking up and admitting it when I just haven’t read the dad-burn thing. I will work on shame as I come to grips with why I feel the need to appear more erudite than I am. I love your statement, “After reading this book, I don’t feel obligated to confess this and will carry on unapologetically, not in an effort to impress but rather to connect.” That is the reason for beginning the conversation after all – we love to connect with people. Great post – I love it!
“After reading this book, I don’t feel obligated to confess this and will carry on unapologetically, not in an effort to impress but rather to connect.” This is a great point, Jennifer. If we really do understand the themes of a book we haven’t read and can connect in discussion, we can choose whether or not to disclose if we have read it cover to cover. I don’t mind admitting I haven’t read a book, but I wonder if sometimes the need to confess can break the connection when the person you are talking with couldn’t care less if you have read it as long as you can help them understand it.