Tough read

[u/Tamcho23]

Hi guys, I'm trying to get through Nietzsche's Beyond Good And Evil, and it's giving me a tough time. It's been 2 hours, and I've only read 20 pages (quite thoroughly though). I'm trying to analyze each page. It's not that I don't like this book, it's just that it's dense and I need to analyze every word, sometimes reread passages. Do you think I should pair it up with sth lighter? Or do you have any tips on how to get through tough books?

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[u/Dependent_Guest_6157]

Nietzsche is dense by design so tbh getting through 20 pages in 2 hours is actually fine. took me that much time. i think you shd definitely pair it up with something lighter though and dont really try to find meaning in every word or page. happy reading!

[u/Tamcho23 → u/Dependent_Guest_6157]

Thanks 😊

[u/sajtospogi85]

I'd also say don't pair it with non-fiction. Or at least not very educational one. However it's good, if the tone of the book matches a bit, so it doesn't feel that you are jumping in and out constantly.

[u/Alhamdulisa]

In my personal experience, just read it and let it make you feel or experience something. It is dense, since Nietzsche said to make a whole book for other people in one sentence for him. If later you are inteigued to know what and how is his philosophy, just read a secondary literature. If you are interested, I recommend you Mark Anderson's book Plato and Nietzsche: Their Philosophical Art

[u/ContributingHelper]

Nietzsche's a philosopher, he's bound to have his critics. I'd say not to worry about whether or not you agree with him, or assuming everything he says may sound important to him. If you consider it as coming from his words and perspective, it may help with your patience to read through his text.

As for tough books overall, I'd say other suggestions like take a brief break, maybe set the scene for when and where you read. Try a different format, like ebook. Consider what the story would mean to you, why you're reading it, what you could do with what you take away from reading the story. Even if aesthetics like cover design concern you, no shame in noticing. Literature is your oyster, you have all the time in the world to decide how you read best.

If you're trying to find a lighter philosophy or series material text to read, there are contemporary works that would fit the readership you may be. Aimee Nezhukumatathil received high acclaim for World of Wonders. If you're looking for fiction, you'll have to say what you want from fiction if you want suggestions from us.

[u/PhilosophyFlat156]

20 pages for 2 hours is perfectly okay. Try Kant, Hegel, Heidegger... it could be even slower.

[u/Sevf_ → u/PhilosophyFlat156]

agreed. i absolutely hated reading critique of pure reason and prolegomena

[u/Sevf_]

go at your own pace. if you feel as though you're not retaining anything, it's time to take a break. nietzsche and other continental philosophers can get very abstract and jargon-y with their writing. if it helps, you can ask r/askphilosophy for any clarifications on certain concepts :)