Fun, and funny, too, in spots - not as turgid as other Walter Scott novels I’ve read or attempted. What astounded me as a kid and even more now as an adult was that the heroes of the novel aren’t Cedric or King Richard or even Wilfred himself; the heroes are the lowly and the outsiders - Wamba, Gurth, and, especially, Rebecca. (For those that haven’t read the book, Wamba is a fool, Gurth a swineherd, and Rebecca a despised Jew.) In fact Rebecca is the true center of the story - makes Rowena seem shallow and silly.
I will admit that I haven’t yet finished rereading Moby Dick, but the chapters I have gotten through are a lot more entertaining and brilliant than I remember from high school. I ain’t trying The Scarlet Letter again, though - once was enough.
Yep, that’s Mrs. Piggle Wiggle! The neighborhood kids use her dining room chandelier (which sticks up out of the floor, of course) as a pretend campfire.
The Great Gatsby - I really didn’t care for it when it was assigned in high school (I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t see the deal). I re-read that a few years ago and it was a whole different book. I hadn’t lived enough when I was 15 to connect to that book at all.
That book also suffers when it’s taught by someone who is uncomfortable with discussing class issues.