Book · 2012 · Books in literature
How to do things with books in Victorian Britain
Why people recommend it
How to Do Things with Books in Victorian Britain by Leah Price is an insightful work of cultural history that examines how nineteenth-century readers interacted physically with books, moving beyond mere reading to explore books as objects, gifts, and tools. On The Book Review podcast episode titled Sheryl Sandberg on Life After Tragedy, released on July 18, 2024, Jenny Schlenker recommended this scholarly work. Schlenker noted that the author, Leah Price, is a scholar at Harvard University who wrote this great book all about the material culture of Victorian literature and reading practices. The recommendation shed light on how physical volumes shaped the daily lives, social rituals, and domestic spaces of people during the Victorian era. Schlenker's enthusiastic mention brought academic literary history into the mainstream conversation, appealing to readers fascinated by the intersection of material culture, historical habits, and the sociology of reading. The book continues to serve as an essential reference for understanding the tangible ways past societies engaged with the written word, emphasizing that books have always possessed functions far beyond their textual contents.
Who recommended it
- Jenny Schlenker Recommended
Jenny Schlenker — 1 mention
“Leah Price another um scholar at Harvard wrote this great book called how to do things with Victorian books which just all about”