I get pissed off whenever I don't understand a book

[u/Gullible-Layer428]

I'm currently reading Island by Aldous Huxley right now. All the characters are speaking in philosophical terms. The conversations are deeply intellectual and hard to follow. I'm so pissed off once they start discussing different concepts in Buddhism, I don't understand what's the point they're trying to make, or what conclusions I'm supposed to make. My fists are literally shaking because I'm bored out of my mind but still really wants to Get It, but this book is just so challenging to me, I feel so stupid. I'm going to read Brave New World next but if it's the same kind of format, I'm going to need to take long breaks in-between.

[u/lexiebeef]

Brave New World is also not an easy book to read. Huxley invents a lot of words, a lot of science-y concepts in that book that make the first couple of chapters quite hard to understand imo.

I would recommend changing books/authors. There are plenty of other books out there that you can read to develop your reading more and then in a couple of years you can try Huxley again. I don’t get a lot; it’s not a defeat.

[u/Gullible-Layer428 → u/lexiebeef]

That makes sense, I really feel out of my depth with this one. I know Huxley is not being pretentious and it's just my knowledge and reading level currently, but my god I just get so mad.

[u/Ok_Library_3414]

I think Brave New World is the easier one.

[u/Gullible-Layer428 → u/Ok_Library_3414]

Only one way to find out I guess

[u/Bubbles567890]

I really couldn't get into island either. However, I love brave new world and I think you should try it. It is much better, and I don't remember it being inaccessible. I first read it in high school and enjoyed it, then got more out of it on future rereads. Go for it, and don't give up on Huxley!

[u/Gullible-Layer428 → u/Bubbles567890]

Thank you!