[currently reading] Utopia, Thomas More

One of the blessings about being in a small town with few options for social night life is that I catch up on reading I've been meaning to do for years. I picked this book up from a second-hand book store, or maybe even a rummage sale years ago and I've carted it around with me from place to place, promising myself I would read it. I have a secret love for it borne out of my love for the movie EverAfter (Drew Barymore quotes this book and my interest was sparked). So yesterday, after the usual Saturday cleaning, I cozied up with Utopia on my couch, enjoying a nice cross breeze between the front screen door and back door.

Now that I'm an adult and read for pleasure and not because my Hon. English III teacher is telling me to, I took the liberty and risk of reading the introduction. I'm not an introduction kind of person. In high school, when it was our assignment to read it, I never did because I thought it was a waste of time. I'm also the type to not read instructions before putting things together. If it looks easy enough, I just start piecing (I'm a hands-on learner).

This is what I've learned: READ THE INTRODUCTIONS! Although it was a good 30 pages, I enjoyed every moment of it. It included historical background and theory on the book. It explained the nomenclature and satire behind a great portion of More's work. It delved into what other books came to be that are similar to this, books that I would have never guessed to be a part of the same genre, books that I now also want to read. My understanding and appreciation for the actual book itself has been heightened exponentially because of the background information the introduction afforded me.

It's a wonder to me that I'm just now figuring this out. I am deeply sorry Ms. Gellar-Clark (Hon English III teacher) for not participating in that portion of the reading and lesson. I would have been a far better student had I read the introductions.

The funny thing is that I know I am the kind of person that likes background. When listening to sermons, I greatly appreciate it when the preacher puts the story or biblical passage in CONTEXT. Context adds volumes to understanding and analysis. Why should these books be any different?

Thank you Paul Turner (author of intro and translator of text from LATIN). I am a smarter person for having read your introduction. You are quite an intelligent human being.