See... I think you have to feel justified that you even started Don Quixote. And Riefenstahl, I don't even think she read that book... it's not just self-deluding, it's poorly written. The thing about Quixote though, and I had to teach myself this lesson with Steinbeck some years ago, just because it's got lots of lengthy explanations of things and has some important moments, doesn't mean it speaks to everyone. I think that notion that there is classic lit that if you don't read it or get it or love it, you're less worthy, is a good one to toss out the window. I still think it takes more courage to stop reading these texts at the second page than it does to soldier on.

And I hear you on the childbirth thing... but it's an indicator isn't it? I mean, again, it's how a book or author grabs you by sharing your views and values, or at least not challenging them to the core... not that that isn't nice occasionally... but even so I'm not sure that Riefenstahl will get you literary brownie points in heaven.