Slowly working my way through this, reading every word but not quite understanding it. But long ago I realized that this is going to have to be read many times to get the benefit of Barthes’ words.
They’re not bliss reading-wise, that’s for sure; yet that is exactly what he is trying to impart. And I may be wrong, but I’m not taking his considerations as to reading style for just the classic literary books. Personally, I would try to apply what he says to every word that’s written. Yes, to a scientist, a formula can be utterly joyful in its revelation. To please the reader is the goal, and what I’m looking for in this book is to seek that state of elevation of mind no matter the subject; it’s whatever turns you on. For Barthes’ is not considering the writer; the writer–for him–is dead.
In alleging that the same text does not bring pleasure to the same reader consistently, in taking into consideration it’s "surprise" value–which is something I can understand; that phrase that makes you stop below a mental Wow–there is also of course the proof that in re-readings, we find something that we merely read before.
And sometimes even Barthes can prove the point:
The text is (should be) that uninhibited person who shows his behind to the Political Father. (p. 53)
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology