Portable Magic: A History of Books and their Readers

Emma Smith's book Portable Magic explores the history and impact of the physical book, revealing its unique and sometimes dangerous magic. It explores how books have embodied and extended relationships between readers, nations, ideologies, and cultures, and how our reading habits have been shaped by various factors. The book also challenges the myth that print began with Gutenberg and proposes new definitions of a classic and the book itself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

A captivating exploration into our profound relationship with the physical book, this remarkable work delves into the intricate tapestry of our connection with these literary treasures. As I immersed myself in its pages, I found myself repeatedly exclaiming with delight upon discovering new insights and revelations that had escaped my previous encounters.

Val McDermid, The Times

While much of our discourse surrounding books revolves around the words within them, it is essential to recognize that books are not merely abstract constructs of language but tangible objects that exist in our physical world. Just as we engage in the act of cracking their spines, loosening their leaves, and scribbling in their margins, books also exert their influence upon us, disrupting and rearranging our thoughts and emotions. As Stephen King astutely observed, all books possess a unique form of portable magic, capable of transporting us to different worlds and eliciting a range of emotions.

In her groundbreaking work, "Portable Magic," Emma Smith unveils an exhilarating and unconventional narrative of the book in the hands of human beings. Spanning a millennium of pivotal encounters with volumes of varying sizes, Smith reveals that the physical form of books, their "bookhood," holds a distinct and sometimes perilous enchantment. From the revered Diamond Sutra to the beloved Jilly Cooper's Riders, and even a book crafted from wrapped slices of cheese, these composite artisanal objects have, for centuries, embodied and extended relationships between readers, nations, ideologies, and cultures in profound and unpredictable ways.

Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, "Portable Magic" explores the unforeseen and unseen ramifications of our deep-rooted love affair with books. It applauds the rise of the mass-market paperback, debunks the myth that print originated with Gutenberg, and sheds light on how our reading habits have been shaped by American soldiers. Moreover, it proposes fresh definitions of the concept of a "classic" and even the very essence of the book itself.

In conclusion, "Portable Magic" is a transformative work that illuminates the multifaceted dimensions of our relationship with the written word. It invites us to reevaluate our perceptions of books as mere containers of information and instead recognize them as living entities that possess the power to shape our lives and alter our perspectives. As we continue to engage with these extraordinary objects, may we cherish their magic, appreciate their significance, and harness their power for the betterment of ourselves and the world around us.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141991931