Introduction

Abstract

Perhaps it is best to open the first of three volumes on the history of reading with an imaginary example, albeit a cautionary one. Let us consider the case of a particular reader, already past middle age and perhaps approaching retirement, with an ordinary education and standard level of literacy, i.e. proficient enough to read a 500-page novel without too much difficulty. Let us call this reader X. Reader X regularly consumes fiction, some religious reading and the daily newspaper, as well as the odd magazine. Reading takes place largely in leisure time (evenings at home or while commuting) and away from the world of work; reader X’s practice is elastic, and expands or contracts based on the amount of leisure time available. Reader X reads carefully but quickly, but usually does not scribble any marginalia or comments in owned books, nor does reader X keep a reading diary or commonplace book. Reader X is happy and willing to discuss recent reading with friends and family members, but lacks the articulacy or confidence to express this in a written or reflexive practice. Apart from the turned corners of pages, the creases in the spines of paperbacks, and the marks of ownership (a simple name and date in the inside cover, or the occasional bit of underlining), there is almost no recoverable textual evidence of reader X’s engagement with owned books.