What Is a Book?

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What Is a Book? is a 2002 collection of essays by David Kirby, published by the University of Georgia Press.

Contents

It has seventeen essays, all written by him and written in the period circa 1992-2002, [1] about aspects of literature. [2]

The title of the book came from one of the essays. Another essay is titled "What is a Critic?" G. W. Clift, in the Kansas City Star , wrote that four of the essays are "pillar essays" of the work, with the remaining ones having subordinate roles. [3] The four key questions are regarding the definitions of book, critic, reader, and writer. [4]

Jeff Dolven, in the Chicago Tribune , stated that compared to other books describing the history of making literature, the tone is "more personal and more contemporary". [5]

Reception

Paul D'Alessandro, in Library Journal , stated that he "highly recommended" the book, calling it "surprisingly pleasurable and entertaining to read" as well as "important and useful". [2]

Brian J. Buchanan of The Tennessean wrote that the book is "emotionally vigorous" and "academically rigorous". [1]

Clift wrote that he felt "a little brighter" after reading the book. [3]

Donna Seaman, in Booklist wrote that the essays show "nimbleness and precision". [6]

Reviewer Floyd Skloot wrote that the main points are "diffuse"; he added that the non-pillar essays give "a slapdash, repetitive feel" as those essays push away the main points and are "loosely connected". [7]

Robert Armstrong, in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune , wrote that "flair and humor" are in the narrative and that the book is not "tedious". [8]

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Buchanan, Brian J. (2003-01-05). "A critic referees theory wars, from reader's viewpoint". The Tennessean . p.  39 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 D'Allessandro, Paul (2002-11-15). "What Is a Book? (Book)". Library Journal . Vol. 127, no. 19 – via EBSCOHost/Wikipedia Library.
  3. 1 2 Clift, G. W. (2003-06-22). "Book about books is a page-turner". Kansas City Star . p.  I-7 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Skloot, p. 155.
  5. ↑ Dolven, Jeff (2003-07-06). "Bridging a gulf between literary worlds". Chicago Tribune . p.  Section 14 p. 3 . Retrieved 2025-05-28– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Seaman, Donna (2002). "What Is a Book?". Booklist . Vol. 99, no. 5. pp. 468–469 – via Wikipedia Library. - At EBSCOHost
  7. ↑ Skloot, p. 157.
  8. ↑ Armstrong, Robert (2002-12-15). "Book on books provides fodder for gift-giving". Minneapolis Star-Tribune . p.  F15(X)F17 – via Newspapers.com.

Further reading

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