What We See When We Read

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Aesthetics, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Theory, Books & Reading
Cover of the book What We See When We Read by Peter Mendelsund, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter Mendelsund ISBN: 9780804171649
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Publication: August 5, 2014
Imprint: Vintage Language: English
Author: Peter Mendelsund
ISBN: 9780804171649
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Publication: August 5, 2014
Imprint: Vintage
Language: English

A San Francisco Chronicle and Kirkus Best Book of the Year

A gorgeously unique, fully illustrated exploration into the phenomenology of reading—how we visualize images from reading works of literature, from one of our very best book jacket designers, himself a passionate reader.

What do we see when we read? Did Tolstoy really describe Anna Karenina? Did Melville ever really tell us what, exactly, Ishmael looked like? The collection of fragmented images on a page—a graceful ear there, a stray curl, a hat positioned just so—and other clues and signifiers helps us to create an image of a character. But in fact our sense that we know a character intimately has little to do with our ability to concretely picture our beloved—or reviled—literary figures. In this remarkable work of nonfiction, Knopf's Associate Art Director Peter Mendelsund combines his profession, as an award-winning designer; his first career, as a classically trained pianist; and his first love, literature—he considers himself first and foremost as a reader—into what is sure to be one of the most provocative and unusual investigations into how we understand the act of reading.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A San Francisco Chronicle and Kirkus Best Book of the Year

A gorgeously unique, fully illustrated exploration into the phenomenology of reading—how we visualize images from reading works of literature, from one of our very best book jacket designers, himself a passionate reader.

What do we see when we read? Did Tolstoy really describe Anna Karenina? Did Melville ever really tell us what, exactly, Ishmael looked like? The collection of fragmented images on a page—a graceful ear there, a stray curl, a hat positioned just so—and other clues and signifiers helps us to create an image of a character. But in fact our sense that we know a character intimately has little to do with our ability to concretely picture our beloved—or reviled—literary figures. In this remarkable work of nonfiction, Knopf's Associate Art Director Peter Mendelsund combines his profession, as an award-winning designer; his first career, as a classically trained pianist; and his first love, literature—he considers himself first and foremost as a reader—into what is sure to be one of the most provocative and unusual investigations into how we understand the act of reading.

More books from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Cover of the book The Future of Liberalism by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Same-Sex Marriage: Pro and Con by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Scatter, Adapt, and Remember by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Beer in the Snooker Club by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Future War by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Charlemagne by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book The Girl Who Never Read Noam Chomsky by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Driving Over Lemons by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Fathers and Children by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book July and August by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book The Painting of Modern Life by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Freedom's Battle by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Visual Shock by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Beirut Blues by Peter Mendelsund
Cover of the book Self Comes to Mind by Peter Mendelsund
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy