Alberto Manguel centers on the vital importance of the book within literate societies, arguing that the intellectual act has lost prestige. He advocates for libraries as essential symbols of collective memory, suggesting they should be valued over financial institutions. Manguel posits that humans can be defined as reading animals, driven to decipher the world and themselves. His work explores the profound connection between readers, texts, and the human experience.
This book delves into the profound impact of the Iliad and the Odyssey, examining their historical significance and enduring relevance across cultures. It invites readers to reconsider Homer's masterpieces by exploring their themes, characters, and the ways they have shaped literature and society throughout history. Through a global lens, the exploration reveals the timeless nature of these epic tales and their influence on contemporary thought and storytelling.
Anatole Vasanpeine, an imaginary figure from early 20th century Poitiers, is celebrated for his unique appreciation of erotic minimalism. Rather than focusing on grand narratives, he finds beauty in the small, often overlooked details of life. His passionate love for the intimate and tragic aspects of existence reveals a profound connection to the world around him, inviting readers to explore the depth of everyday moments and the hidden stories they tell.
An exploration of Maimonides, the medieval philosopher, physician, and religious thinker, author of The Guide of the Perplexed, from one of the world's foremost bibliophiles
An original look at how literary characters can transcend their books to guide our lives, by one of the world's most eminent bibliophiles
A best-selling author and world-renowned bibliophile meditates on his vast personal library and champions the vital role of all libraries. "The author brings a fresh hopefulness to the enterprise of books and reading. Vintage Manguel--a pleasure for his many readers and admirers."--Kirkus Reviews In June 2015 Alberto Manguel prepared to leave his centuries-old village home in France's Loire Valley and reestablish himself in a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Packing up his enormous, 35,000-volume personal library, choosing which books to keep, store, or cast out, Manguel found himself in deep reverie on the nature of relationships between books and readers, books and collectors, order and disorder, memory and reading. In this poignant and personal reevaluation of his life as a reader, the author illuminates the highly personal art of reading and affirms the vital role of public libraries. Manguel's musings range widely, from delightful reflections on the idiosyncrasies of book lovers to deeper analyses of historic and catastrophic book events, including the burning of ancient Alexandria's library and contemporary library lootings at the hands of ISIS. With insight and passion, the author underscores the universal centrality of books and their unique importance to a democratic, civilized, and engaged society.
An eclectic history of human curiosity, a great feast of ideas, and a memoir of a reading life from an internationally celebrated reader and thinker
Where can you find truth in a world that is so thoroughly ruled by lies? That is the question tackled by the investigation of a French journalist who endeavours to shed light on the enigma of an unexplained death: that of the Argentinian writer Alejandro Bevilacqua, found lying on the pavement underneath his balcony in Madrid in the mid-1970s.
Exploring the origins and enduring impact of the epic poems attributed to Homer, this book delves into their significance in Western literature over the past 2,500 years. Manguel examines the narratives of the Trojan War, notable characters, and the poems' philosophical and historical interpretations. He also addresses the challenges posed by these pagan texts to early Christianity and traces their global influence through time. Ultimately, the work celebrates the beauty and richness of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey."
