The Cultural Sociology of Reading: The Meanings of Reading and Books Across the World

This book explores the recent work about reading and books in sociology and the humanities across the globe, covering a range of reading practices, genres, types of texts, and reading spaces. It contributes to current debates about the valuation of literature, the role of cultural intermediaries, the iconic properties of textual objects, and the political uses of reading.

Format: Hardback
Length: 590 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book presents a captivating exploration of the latest research on reading and books in sociology and the humanities from around the world. Spanning diverse perspectives and within the broader framework of cultural sociology of reading, the eighteen chapters delve into a diverse array of reading practices, genres, text types, and reading spaces. They cover various regions, including the Anglophone countries of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia; the transnational, multilingual realm formed by the readership of the Colombian novel One Hundred Years of Solitude; nineteenth-century Chile; twentieth-century Czech Republic; twentieth-century Swahili readings in East Africa; contemporary Iran; and China during the cultural revolution and the post-Mao period. The chapters make valuable contributions to ongoing discussions about the valuation of literature, the role of cultural intermediaries, the iconic qualities of textual objects and the practice of reading itself, the ways in which reading fosters personal, social, and political reflection, bookstores as spaces for sociability and the interplay between high and commercial cultures, the political uses of reading for nation-building and propaganda, and the risks and rewards of reading in repressive contexts.

Drawing upon the cultural sociology of readings emphasis on meaning, materiality, and emotion, this book delves into the existential, ethical, and political implications of reading in specific locations and historical moments. It sheds light on the ways in which reading shapes individuals, communities, and societies, offering insights into the complex interplay between culture, power, and the human experience. Whether examining the role of literature in shaping national identities, exploring the ethical dimensions of reading in oppressive regimes, or examining the political implications of popular genres, this book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the multifaceted world of reading and books. By presenting a diverse range of perspectives and methodologies, it serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the intersections of culture, society, and the written word.

Weight: 924g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031132261
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022