Reading the classics seems like a great idea until you hit a passage that is particularly hard to decipher. Many classics are published using old translations, meaning that the writing can feel unfamiliar and almost foreign. Now, imagine that, like me, you’re dyslexic, or have a learning disability that makes reading more challenging. In this post, I hope to provide strategies I have honed over four years from studying great books. 

First, read slowly; this isn’t a race, and no one is timing you. Second, read in small chunks and take breaks; you could even make notes or highlight passages to come back to. Third, use the internet to ask immediate questions—whatever helps you understand the material is fine. Be careful with the use of AI. I have personally found that AI isn’t great at understanding some of these dusty books. Finally, I would suggest everyone find a discussion buddy or get a group going—it is the best way to let these ideas breathe with your own. 

I also have some tips that I found specifically helpful as a person who has dyslexia. I often found that reading comprehension for classics was even more challenging to understand than for standard modern English. I suggest reading a summary of whatever text you are reading, staying vigilant against skimming behaviors while reading, and not being afraid to read the same passage a couple times and out loud. 

Suggested starting point

For those that want to start with some cornerstone philosophy, Plato’s The Republic is a great starting point. It’s the perfect introduction into ancient Greek philosophy because it is written in the form of a dialogue where one character debates or argues with another. Plato is generally a great place to start because his works are dialogues featuring characters, meaning that the philosophy is broken up into a more casual conversation. Plato makes his arguments digestible through his character Socrates, who interrogates the opposing argument and methodically lays it out along with his own counterargument. I am directing you to The Republic for a first read because it is a foundational text for many other ideas explored throughout his dialogues. Ideas of justice, citizenship, and leadership are examined, making it an interesting text to read in modern times. 

The second text I would recommend is Emily Wilson’s translations of Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey. She is the first woman to publish a complete translation of both of these texts, and it is widely considered one of the best translations. Emily Wilson’s translation work is faithful to the original Greek, while maintaining high-quality prose that reads naturally.