How I read a classic novel using artificial intelligence

Digital reading platforms like e-books have never been my speed. I love the tactile quality of printed magazines and books that leave subtle fingerprints on the pages as you leaf through them. Then I came across Rebindingwhich bills itself as an “AI-powered publishing company” for classic reading, using AI to enhance the e-book reading experience (via expert-led, pre-recorded commentary). I needed to know more.

The platform is incredibly new – it launched just a few days ago at the end of October, thanks to entrepreneurial and creative collaboration John Kaag And John Dubuque. With it, you can access individual games ($30) or sign up for an annual subscription ($120/year).

The first five games to choose from on Rebind:

• James Joyce’s Dubliners
• Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
• “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche
• Walden by Henry David Thoreau

The Rebind process involves selecting a book from the library, discussing the book with an AI-powered chatbot, and watching video content from the company’s Rebinders—a curated collection of writers, philosophers, and commentators (mostly white men) who guide the reading process. hours of pre-recorded video commentary woven into each chapter.

I’ve decided on Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, which I’ll explore in conversation with Rebinder and Pulitzer Prize finalist Chloe Cooper Jones. For me, this was a reread, chosen for its timely and familiar themes, as well as Jones’s gender and cultural identity. I spent a total of three days studying three chapters, 11 discussions, and seven videos on the Rebind platform.

Rebinding process

Once I accessed Heart of Darkness, on the right side of my computer screen I was prompted to watch a video where Jones introduced herself and detailed her connection and reaction to the book. Below it, in front of me, lay the first chapter. Once I highlighted a section, I could add reactions, start a chat with the AI ​​about that section, or comment, highlight, and copy text. It is also possible to change the text size, theme colors, font and page setup. (To reduce eye strain, I chose a black theme and Arial font.)

Each title has a table of contents where you can jump to the different videos and discussions in each chapter. I was immediately drawn to the first discussion called “Darkness vs. Light.” Good news for my self-esteem: the AI-powered discussion chat window (which responded with comments drawn from hours of pre-recorded Jones content) liked my opinion on this first discussion point. If no one else is testing your intelligence, perhaps Rebind is the place to spend a few days.

It was like a new generation of picture books. I found myself searching for Jones’ face for her video commentary—and a way to break the monotony of the words streaming across my computer screen. I subscribe to the theory that all books should be read as a collection of essays, with each chapter connected to the next, but not in chronological order—and not necessarily read in a linear format.

Without the physical element of turning pages, my eyes glazed over as I read (and eventually skimmed) subsequent pages—especially when I reread parts my brain considered familiar. So, similar to how I interact with physical reading, I skipped chapters. However, in Rebind I had the ability to add and remove videos, discussions, and suggested questions that appeared in each chapter. Of course, this is where I felt the most stimulation.

This process created a good balance between my curiosity and understanding of the book. While I believe Rebind’s mission was to delve into the rich psychological aspects of each chapter of the classic book, its structure helped me focus on specific aspects of the title rather than forcing myself to analyze everything I read.

Did Rebind potentially solve the reading problem for those who are easily distracted despite being creative and curious? (A seventeen-year-old AP English me student would vote for Rebind’s approach over the reading chunks assigned each evening.)

Is it worth (re)reading classics with Rebind?

For those looking for interaction without having to seek out a personal community, or wanting to introduce a new topic to an existing community, I see Rebind as a way to navigate your own thoughts and questions without being overwhelming or draining. (Although it can be a good mental exercise.)

I kind of expected to be dissatisfied with Rebind in some way, but it provides an opportunity to learn something about yourself – which reflects Rebind’s mission to think deeply and explore what is read beyond the words on the page.

I was pleasantly surprised by the interactive nature of Rebind, although it does take advantage of aspects of reading that I usually shy away from: e-books and book clubs. I’ve found that Rebind distills the experience or tools needed to find a classic work, discuss it, find new connections and meaning to its themes and motifs, without going overboard.

While I think $120 for annual access is expensive, I can settle for an individual game for $30 knowing that you’re paying for access to experts and AI integration into the platform. Personal preference aside, I support a platform that uses artificial intelligence to make books safe and accessible—even if that means navigating them on a digital screen, talking to yourself and the algorithms running in the background.