Fact or fiction? :)

[Ameliesnow]

Well, I'm an avid reader of literature and I have been made to feel guilty about this by my friend who is a 'factual man'.
My friend declares that "literature is pointless and there is no English literature (we're English) worth reading these days". Even though he hasn't read much (if any) literature, apart from 'Shakespeare of course' (pff). My point is -- I like to think that reading literature has a great (if not greater) benefit to those who read for pleasure rather than to educate themselves.
My friend obviously disagrees with his opinion and reads purely to improve his knowledge, and reproaches literature due to the fact it is 'unessential' and it isn't educational.
I think, however, that people who read literature are 'improving their minds' by exercising their imagination and therefore understanding different cultures, in different eras and through different perspectives
Do you agree or disagree with my friend's interpretation? Or do you think that reading literature is just as beneficial as reading factual books? I think it is! I've recently read publications by Philippa Gregory, and, although I have some knowledge of the Tudors, she has enabled me to imagine what it would be like to BE great historical characters. That helps characters such as Mary Stuart or Margaret of Anjou come to life! That can't be a bad thing.

Happy reading
A xxxx

[Ptree82]

Does your friend ever watch movies or television? Literature is a far more involved form of entertainment than they are. You're not going to learn from every book you read but the brain is a muscle and you're still flexing it by reading. Sometimes I like to read a heavy, educational book but I think it's good for the soul to read something fun and interesting! Besides fiction requires creativity and that's something that can't be learned. Read on sister!

[imaniems]

I don't think your friend is particularly correct, but I do find that reading things like memoirs give me a deeper appreciation for fiction. There's something about fiction that gives the reader a new lease on life, and that's invaluable, and many read fiction to educate themselves.
I think that both views have merit, but no one should discount an entire class of books just because.
(Never feel guilty for loving good books

[candielu]

It all has a purpose and is beneficial! So silly of your friend to be so biased.
Factual reading gives us, well, facts. It is indepth and essential for advancement, but it is limited to the particular topic.
Literature gives us entertainment, helps to strengthen our ability to look at things from multiple perspectives (which is very important in science, etc), and covers many topics (and although not as detailed as factual readings, forces us to explore the topics further on our own and/or figure things out).

Also - I *love* Philippa Gregory. I have the entire Boleyn/Tudor series at home. I have a book suggestion for you but the title is eluding me right now, so I'll come back after I check my bookshelf at home!

[LavenderTea]

First of all, hello from another Englishwoman! Second, bah. Literature most definitely is still valuable and entertaining nowadays - although I might not be the best person to advocate it... I rarely, rarely, if ever, read fiction and when I do it's as old as heck. I have a Kindle. It is stuffed full of M. R. James, Jane Austen and G. K. Chesterton... I think the most recent thing I've read within the last ten years is Terry Pratchett (incredible!).

It's really bad, because I'm a writer myself and I keep having arguments with my brain over the fact I should read a lot more modern stories that I do. But to go back to your friend's argument, how often do you see girls waiting at a train station clutching anything that's not modern fiction? Granted, that's mostly all they sell in the WHSmiths there, but people seek them out. What's 'pointless' in your friend's eyes is someone else's escapism.

I read non-fiction to escape, just like fiction. By reading a cookery book or archaeology textbook I'm still transported to a different world, just the same as if I read Chocolat or Raiders of the Lost Ark: the Novel.