Same thing for me with Dickens, if you are force fed literature, of course you rebel. It was only later, re-reading Dickens on an impulse that I realised what an incredible writer he was. Not only as an astute social observer but the creator of such fantastic variety of memorable characters. Second only to Shakespeare, who I have always loved. First love was Robert Louis Stevenson...drab dreary England in the very early 50's. Tales like Treasure Island, Kidnapped etc. There is a pub in South Queensferry called The Hawes Inn and they have 'preserved' the room where he wrote Treasure Island !!! his pen, his ink well - oh and a great pint as well. TS Eliot said that they should abolish compulsory reading inschools, just have a well stocked library. How now sirrah(s) and on with the day.
