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Synopsis
A witty and eclectic tour of some of the more arcane byways of literature. Illustrated throughout.
How much heavier was Thackeray’s brain than Walt Whitman’s? Which novels do American soldiers read? When did cigarettes start making an appearance in English literature?
In Curiosities of Literature, John Sutherland contemplates the full import of questions such as these, and attempts a few answers in a series of essays that are both witty and eclectic. An account of the fast-working Mickey Spillane, for example, leads to a consideration of the substances, both legal and illegal, that authors have employed to boost their creative energies. An essay on good and bad handwriting points out in passing that Thackeray could write the Lord’s Prayer on the back of a stamp. As for Mary Shelley, a brief recital of the circumstances in which she wrote Frankenstein stops off to consider what impact the miserable summer weather of 1816 had on the future path of English literature.
It’s debatable, of course, whether knowledge of these arcane topics adds to the wisdom of nations. It does highlight the random pleasures in reading literature and reading about it.
As John Sutherland rightly asks, “Why else read?”
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About the Author
John Sutherland currently teaches literature at the California Institute of Technology and is Emeritus Lord Northcliffe Professor at University College London.
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Curiosities of Literature: A Book-lover's Anthology of Literary Erudition
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Random House Books 04/09/2008, 2008
ISBN 10: 190521197X
ISBN 13: 9781905211975
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Curiosities of Literature: A Book-lovers Anthology of Literary Erudition
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Curiosities of Literature: A Book-lover's Anthology of Literary Erudition
Published by
Random House Books 04/09/2008, 2008
ISBN 10: 190521197X
ISBN 13: 9781905211975
Used
Hardcover
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Curiosities of Literature: A Book-lover's Anthology of Literary Erudition
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Curiosities of Literature: A Book-lover's Anthology of Literary Erudition
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Curiosities of Literature: A Book-lover's Anthology of Literary Erudition
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Curiosities of Literature : A Book-Lover's Anthology of Literary Erudition. With illustrations by Martin Rowson.
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Random House London, 2008,, 2008
ISBN 10: 190521197X
ISBN 13: 9781905211975
Used
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Seller: Antiquariat Mercurius, Köln, Germany
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290 S., Pappband (Hardcover), OU, 8°. Zustand: sehr gut.Gewicht: 480 g Text in Englisch - English Edition in excellent condition (with dust jacket). Seller Inventory # 14082
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CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE
Published by
Random House Books, London, 2008
ISBN 10: 190521197X
ISBN 13: 9781905211975
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Amazing Book Company, Liphook, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Mint. Dust Jacket Condition: Mint. Martin Rowson (illustrator). First Edition. CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE. John Sutherland. Illustrated by Martin Rowson. Random House Publishing, London 2008 First Edition ISBN 9781905211975 290pp Illustrated Hardback. This mint unread copy is bound in cloth covered boards with bright gilt titling to the spine. The unclipped dust wrapper is also in mint condition. How much heavier was Thackeray's brain than Walt Whitman's? Which novels do American soldiers read? When did cigarettes start making an appearance in English literature? And, while we're about it, who wrote the first Western, is there any link between asthma and literary genius, and what really happened on Dorothea's wedding night in Middlemarch? In Curiosities of Literature, John Sutherland contemplates the full import of questions such as these, and attempts a few answers in a series of essays that are both witty and eclectic. His approach is also unashamedly discursive. An account of the fast-working Mickey Spillane, for example, leads to a consideration of the substances, both legal and illegal, that authors have employed to boost their creative energies. An essay on good and bad handwriting points out in passing that Thackeray could write the Lord's Prayer on the back of a stamp. As for Mary Shelley, a brief recital of the circumstances in which she wrote Frankenstein stops off to consider what impact the miserable summer weather of 1816 had on the future path of English literature. Of course, it is debatable whether knowledge of these arcane topics adds to the wisdom of nations, but it does highlight the random pleasures to be found in reading literature and reading about it. As John Sutherland rightly asks, 'Why else read?' Ref KK2. Seller Inventory # 012203
Quantity: 1 available
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CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE: A Book-lover's Anthology of Literary Erudition
Published by
Random House Books, London, 2008
ISBN 10: 190521197X
ISBN 13: 9781905211975
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Amazing Book Company, Liphook, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Mint. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Martin Rowson (illustrator). Reprint. This mint unmarked copy is bound in cloth covered boards with bright gilt titling to the spine, tight, white, bright and square. The unclipped dust wrapper is in mint condition. International postal rates are calculated on a book weighing 1 Kilo, in cases where the book weighs less then postage will be reduced accordingly. Where the book weighs more than 1 Kilo increased charges will be quoted. How much heavier was Thackeray's brain than Walt Whitman's? Which novels do American soldiers read? When did cigarettes start making an appearance in English literature? And, while we're about it, who wrote the first Western, is there any link between asthma and literary genius, and what really happened on Dorothea's wedding night in Middlemarch? In Curiosities of Literature, John Sutherland contemplates the full import of questions such as these, and attempts a few answers in a series of essays that are both witty and eclectic. His approach is also unashamedly discursive. An account of the fast-working Mickey Spillane, for example, leads to a consideration of the substances, both legal and illegal, that authors have employed to boost their creative energies. An essay on good and bad handwriting points out in passing that Thackeray could write the Lord's Prayer on the back of a stamp. As for Mary Shelley, a brief recital of the circumstances in which she wrote Frankenstein stops off to consider what impact the miserable summer weather of 1816 had on the future path of English literature. Of course, it is debatable whether knowledge of these arcane topics adds to the wisdom of nations, but it does highlight the random pleasures to be found in reading literature and reading about it. As John Sutherland rightly asks, 'Why else read?' Ref XXX 3. Seller Inventory # 020686
Quantity: 1 available
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Curiosities of Literature.
Seller: Emile Kerssemakers ILAB, Heerlen, Netherlands
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2008, xii,290pp. Illustrated. Hardcover, with dust jacket. In very good condition. Seller Inventory # 64700
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