Around the World in 80 Books

David Damrosch, chair of Harvard's Department of Comparative Literature, and founder of Harvard's Institute for World Literature, has curated a list of 80 classic and modern books to explore how they have shaped our idea of the world. The list includes works by authors from Woolf and Dante to Nobel prizewinners Orhan Pamuk, Wole Soyinka, Mo Yan, and Olga Tokarczuk, and offers a fresh perspective on perennial problems such as epidemics, inequality, and patriarchal structures. The book is a global invitation to look beyond ourselves and our surroundings and to see our world and its literature in new ways.

Format: Hardback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2021
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

David Damrosch: A Guide to a Literary Round-the-World Adventure

David Damrosch, a restless explorer of literature, stands as the ideal companion for a captivating journey around the world. With his insightful and quirky nature, Damrosch delves into a rich tapestry of eighty classic and modern books, offering readers a transporting and illuminating experience.

In an interview, Damrosch reveals his deep passion for books, having read each and every one with eloquence and understanding. His expertise shines through as he discusses the nuances and complexities of these literary treasures, captivating listeners with his articulate insights.

Inspired by the adventurous spirit of Jules Verne's hero Phileas Fogg, Damrosch embarked on a mission to counter the restrictions imposed by a pandemic. He sought to embark on a literary odyssey, traversing the globe through eighty exceptional books. This literary itinerary takes readers from the enchanting streets of London to the romantic canals of Venice, from the bustling streets of Tehran to distant points beyond.

Damrosch's exploration spans a diverse range of authors, from the timeless brilliance of Virginia Woolf and Dante to the Nobel laureates Orhan Pamuk, Wole Soyinka, Mo Yan, and Olga Tokarczuk. Through his literary lens, he examines how these works have shaped our perception of the world and how literature, in turn, bleeds into the fabric of our existence.

Damrosch delves into the fascinating interplay between the personal experiences of writers and the world of books that have nurtured their creativity. He explores how writers navigate the boundaries between their own lives and the rich tapestry of literary works, drawing upon both to give shape and meaning to their artistic endeavors.

In his literary cartography, Damrosch presents a diverse array of titles, encompassing contemporary masterpieces as well as perennial classics. From hard-boiled crime fiction to haunting works of fantasy, from the formative tales that introduce us to the world as children to the profound narratives that confront us as adults, these eighty titles offer a fresh perspective on perennial problems.

Damrosch's exploration encompasses social consequences, such as the impact of epidemics on society, as well as the rising inequality that Thomas More addressed in his visionary work, "Utopia." He also uncovers the patriarchal structures that permeate many of these books, highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equality and social justice.

Through his literary journey, Damrosch invites readers to embark on a transformative experience, broadening their horizons and expanding their understanding of the world. His profound insights and infectious enthusiasm for literature make him a true guide to a literary round-the-world adventure, leaving readers inspired and enriched.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 142 x 222 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241501023