Boxes and Books in Early Modern England: Materiality, Metaphor, Containment

In early modern England, boxes were used to store and display books, and they were also used as containers for religious objects and other valuables. Lucy Razzall's book explores how the material and imaginative possibilities of the box were dynamically connected in post-Reformation England, structuring modes of thought and offering ways in which the discipline of book history might reframe its analysis of the material text.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In early modern England, boxes were not just mere containers; they were powerful tools that shaped minds and influenced perceptions of interpretation and the physicality of books. By delving into recent scholarship on material culture and the history of the book, Lucy Razzall explores the intricate relationship between texts and objects, ranging from wills, plays, sermons, and religious polemics to chests, book bindings, reliquaries, and coffins. Through meticulous close readings, she demonstrates how the material and imaginative possibilities of the box were intertwined in post-Reformation England, shaping modes of thought and influencing enduring habits of response to people, texts, and things.

This book serves as a valuable contribution to the field of book history, offering a fresh perspective on the material text. By tracing the early modern significance of the box as both matter and metaphor, Razzall reveals the origins of some of the enduring mental frameworks that we still employ today when engaging with literature, artifacts, and the world around us. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, she invites scholars to reevaluate their understanding of the book as a physical object and to explore the rich tapestry of meanings and connections that arise from its materiality.

In conclusion, "The Box as Matter and Metaphor in Early Modern England" is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the profound impact of material culture on the formation of ideas and the interpretation of texts. By delving into the intricate relationship between the box and its contents, Razzall offers a fresh perspective on the origins of some of our most enduring mental habits and encourages scholars to reevaluate their understanding of the book as a physical object. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the book, material culture, and the ways in which our perceptions of the world are shaped by the objects we encounter.

ISBN-13: 9781108932745