Years ago, while in a doctoral program in literature at The University of Iowa, I took a speed reading course that almost destroyed my soul. (More on why this statement isn’t hyperbolic below.)
I read "Clarissa" just last year -- for fun! But, to prep, I first read "Pamela". Was fascinated that Richardson was able to shift character voice from one letter to another, while retaining his own voice throughout. I find Kant, Nietzsche, James and them dudes fully unsubvocalizable and difficult to even read aloud (I do that for a living; audiobooks, you know).
Fabulous essay. As an undergraduate English major, I chose to concentrate on Victorian literature. Bleak House went on forever! But I came to love Eliot and Trollope. I don’t need three letters. My husband has two doctorates. Maybe that’s six?
I always say I have all the letters to make alphabet soup. Your husband has two doctorates! I love this: “Bleak House went on forever.” I felt the same way about Great Expectations.
Great Expectations at least had a plot. It’s my favorite Dickens novel. My husband‘s degree are in philosophy and electrical engineering. Not that disparate as one might think, as the engineering doctorate involves mostly mathematics.
Substack allows us to share our best selves with others. We sometimes share that which is most painful. It’s like I’ve been given permission to speak. Thank you Sarah. I enjoyed your podcast today very much.
I love this on both a personal and professional level. As someone who works primarily with the medium of Voice (I use the capital V to emphasize that it's all forms of expression, not only vocal), I completely agree about it's importance!
I coined the phrase Voice Energetics to describe what I do, and it feels like you're working with a similar concept: that our very BEING comes through in our voice.
Our Voice (written, spoken, whatever) is the focal point at which our inner life meets the outside world. It's potent.
So bringing more awareness and consciousness to it can literally shift and shape our world (and our readers/receivers)!
Your mother was wise to teach you to slow down, and be intentional with it. What a gift! It's certainly served you well, as you express yourself so beautifully in the different mediums I've witnessed. ✨
Sarah! You taught me a new word today: subvocalization. Wow. I am blown away by this knowledge and the clarity it brings. For one, I feel validated, because I have never been a speed reader and now I know that how I read has a name: subvocalization. Plus, when I write, I "hear" how the words sound in my head, so that I can adjust them a bit if they "sound" stilted or not how I would normally speak. It's fascinating that there's a term for this AND that it offers a positive pathway to learning how to comprehend what we read plus master our authentic voice. This was great! Thank you!
More poignant for me since I struggled learning to read and would avoid reading as a kid because I was dealing with a sh*tload of emotional baggage at such a tender age. Perhaps the silence I sought in avoiding reading was also a way to quiet those inner “voices” tied to overwhelming emotions.
Good article- You taught me about sub vocalization. Do you remember Evelyn Wood Speed Reading back in the day?
I do!
My grandmother made me read classics to her out loud while she was cooking. So I guess that helped.
That’s great. You were her audiobook.
I was my grandma's audiobook 😄. Nice way to put it.
I read "Clarissa" just last year -- for fun! But, to prep, I first read "Pamela". Was fascinated that Richardson was able to shift character voice from one letter to another, while retaining his own voice throughout. I find Kant, Nietzsche, James and them dudes fully unsubvocalizable and difficult to even read aloud (I do that for a living; audiobooks, you know).
Wow! You’re an audiobook narrator. I’m in awe.
“Fully unsubvocalizable.” You’re so right.
And I love that you read it for fun! After Pamela. You’re so right: the epistolary structure has never been done better.
Fabulous essay. As an undergraduate English major, I chose to concentrate on Victorian literature. Bleak House went on forever! But I came to love Eliot and Trollope. I don’t need three letters. My husband has two doctorates. Maybe that’s six?
I always say I have all the letters to make alphabet soup. Your husband has two doctorates! I love this: “Bleak House went on forever.” I felt the same way about Great Expectations.
Great Expectations at least had a plot. It’s my favorite Dickens novel. My husband‘s degree are in philosophy and electrical engineering. Not that disparate as one might think, as the engineering doctorate involves mostly mathematics.
Substack allows us to share our best selves with others. We sometimes share that which is most painful. It’s like I’ve been given permission to speak. Thank you Sarah. I enjoyed your podcast today very much.
I’m so glad it’s given you permission to speak. We’re listening.
I love this on both a personal and professional level. As someone who works primarily with the medium of Voice (I use the capital V to emphasize that it's all forms of expression, not only vocal), I completely agree about it's importance!
I coined the phrase Voice Energetics to describe what I do, and it feels like you're working with a similar concept: that our very BEING comes through in our voice.
Our Voice (written, spoken, whatever) is the focal point at which our inner life meets the outside world. It's potent.
So bringing more awareness and consciousness to it can literally shift and shape our world (and our readers/receivers)!
Your mother was wise to teach you to slow down, and be intentional with it. What a gift! It's certainly served you well, as you express yourself so beautifully in the different mediums I've witnessed. ✨
What you do sounds so, so fascinating.
Sarah! You taught me a new word today: subvocalization. Wow. I am blown away by this knowledge and the clarity it brings. For one, I feel validated, because I have never been a speed reader and now I know that how I read has a name: subvocalization. Plus, when I write, I "hear" how the words sound in my head, so that I can adjust them a bit if they "sound" stilted or not how I would normally speak. It's fascinating that there's a term for this AND that it offers a positive pathway to learning how to comprehend what we read plus master our authentic voice. This was great! Thank you!
Wonderful! It is validating, isn’t it?
100%!
Omg. I love this! I loved the personal story and how you seamlessly wove in the pitch. So excellent! See you in class! 🖇
Thank you!!! See you in class!
More poignant for me since I struggled learning to read and would avoid reading as a kid because I was dealing with a sh*tload of emotional baggage at such a tender age. Perhaps the silence I sought in avoiding reading was also a way to quiet those inner “voices” tied to overwhelming emotions.
I still think the real and only reason I read is to achieve that silence.
Loved this Sarah. And you’ve just helped wring the last bit of life out of my regret for not learning to speed read when I was younger. Thank you 🙏🏽
I’m so glad! Cross that off the list.
https://youtu.be/TqBLWYEY6Qo