We try to read to the boys in the evenings and encourage them to read on their own, but summer has been a little lax, so last night we started in on a novel. We’ve done the first four Harry Potter books (and abated only because we felt the themes were getting a little too intense for their age) so this time we thought we’d try a classic: “The Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann David Wyss.
After reading just two chapters last night I can tell that it’s going to be a bit thicker than what we’re used to. I realize the guy was Swiss but the translation into English has proven to rival the most lofty merchant ivory dialogue. My wife is a true Jane Austen warrior, so she’s been silently relishing my descent into the sludgy sentences. It’s been difficult not to affect a staunch British accent while narrating the words aloud.
After every few paragraphs I ask the boys what they think is happening. Surprisingly they’ve been following along and grasping the story quite well. They may not know what every word means, but repeated over in context with words they do know helps tremendously. We’ll see how this goes. Let’s see, only fifty-nine chapters to go. After a month of this, they should be ready for Masterpiece Theater.
What say you?