A lot of people read as a hobby and that is completely easy to understand.
But at least in my country we need to read fiction books in school and analyse them.
It’s important to know that I am talking about fiction, not about history or math books. I am talking about Shakespeare and those fiction writers.
As an example, we need to explain the meaning of verses in poems and we need to understand what is the meaning behind books.
Why we need to do this? Is the necessary nowadays?
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Much of these comments focus on the value of the literature in terms of the skills you gain by reading and discussing it.
But, also, many works of fiction have value in and of themselves as historically important, cultural touchstones. Someone mentioned “The Jungle” which was hugely important in the development of food safety and labor laws. Or “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” which convinced many to become abolitionists. Ate either “good” books? Your opinion may vary, but both are valid as historical totems beyond their value as literature.
OP mentioned Jose Saramago. He’s an important cultural figure in his country; reading his books is how one learns of his existence.
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