Books: A Manifesto: A Review!
Ian Patterson has been second-hand bookseller, taught English Literature at the University of Cambridge, and is a poet, author and translator. All of this makes him well-qualified to have an opinion on all manner of literary matters, which he communicates in an entertaining and erudite way. Books: A Manifesto: A review!
‘Manifesto’ is an Italian word, derived from the Latin ‘manifestus’, meaning ‘clear or ‘conspicuous’.1 Here, over 300 or so pages, the fundamental importance of reading and libraries are reiterated, with a light but persistent drum beat.
His personal and academic perspective combine to make a rousing manifesto.
I particularly relate to Patterson’s thoughts on books and loss, and the elusive search for other worlds and alternative realities.
I love the notion of ‘a bookshop minute’ as being a more elastic measurement of time, as coined by a six year old having to wait for the author to browse, clearly used to extended patience…
Books: A Manifesto, or How to Build a Library, by Ian Patterson, published by Orion.
If you’d like to support an indie bookshop and get 10% off your copy, then use code bookbinderbookreview56 in person at Golden Hare Books, or from this page online.
And for a quick and punchy book art project see: How to: Make a (Book) Manifesto, inspired by this very read!