What Is a Book?
What Is a Book? is a 2002 collection of essays by David Kirby, published by the University of Georgia Press.
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
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- Skloot, Floyd (Spring 2003). "What Is a Book? by David Kirby". Harvard Review (24): 155–157. JSTOR 27568762.
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Buchanan, Brian J. (2003-01-05). "A critic referees theory wars, from reader's viewpoint". The Tennessean. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b D'Allessandro, Paul (2002-11-15). "What Is a Book? (Book)". Library Journal. Vol. 127, no. 19 – via EBSCOHost/Wikipedia Library.
- ^ a b Clift, G. W. (2003-06-22). "Book about books is a page-turner". Kansas City Star. p. I-7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Skloot, p. 155.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Seaman, Donna (2002). "What Is a Book?". Booklist. Vol. 99, no. 5. pp. 468–469 – via Wikipedia Library. - At EBSCOHost
- ^ Skloot, p. 157.
- ^ 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
[edit]- Kirby, David (Spring 1999). "WHAT IS A BOOK?". The Virginia Quarterly Review. 75 (2). University of Virginia: 292–304. JSTOR 26438799.
External links
[edit]- What is a Book? - University of Georgia Press
- What is a Book? at the Wayback Machine (archived 2010-02-21) - David Kirby official website
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