Do you read forewords/notes that precede many classics? Does it help you or hurt you in your enjoyment/understanding of the work? – Classics Club

I rarely read forewords/notes before I read the book. I actually prefer to read classics and analysis after I read a work. It makes me appreciate the book more. That way, I can reread passages that the Foreword/Notes reference.

I do not always read the Forewords though, but I am doing it more often with classics. They do make it more enjoyable.