Material Texts in Early Modern England

Material Texts in Early Modern England explores how sixteenth- and seventeenth-century books were stranger, richer things than scholars have imagined, examining the cutting up of books, book destruction, printed errors, and the recycling of older texts. It revises our sense of what a book was and what a book might be.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 221 pages
\n Publication date: 01 April 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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In the vibrant tapestry of early modern England, the book emerged as a captivating entity, transcending the confines of scholarly imagination. Through the interdisciplinary lens of book history, bibliography, and literary criticism, Material Texts in Early Modern England delves into the enigmatic nature of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century books, revealing them as far more intricate and multifaceted than previously perceived. Adam Smyth, in his insightful exploration, uncovers critical aspects of bibliographical culture that have hitherto received limited attention from critics. These include the meticulous practice of book cutting, the intricate relationship between book destruction and canon formation, the prevalence of printed errors, and the remarkable literary value found in these inadvertent mistakes. Moreover, Smyth sheds light on the fascinating phenomenon of older texts being recycled within the pages of new books, serving as a testament to the dynamic nature of literary production.

How did the authors of this era, such as Herbert, Jonson, Milton, Nashe, and Cavendish, respond to this perception of the book as fragmented, transient, flawed, and palimpsestic? Material Texts in Early Modern England reclaims these distinctive traits and practices, fundamentally altering our understanding of what a book truly was and what it could potentially become. By meticulously examining the materiality, circulation, and reception of books in early modern England, this collection offers a rich tapestry of insights that shed light on the complex interplay between literature, culture, and the ever-evolving nature of the written word.

\n Weight: 330g\n
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108431774\n \n