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Regionalism and the Reading Class

Wendy Griswold author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:The University of Chicago Press

Published:18th Jul '08

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Regionalism and the Reading Class cover

Globalization and the Internet are smothering cultural regionalism, that sense of place that flourished in simpler times. These two villains are also prime suspects in the death of reading. Or so alarming reports about our homogenous and dumbed-down culture would have it. But as "Regionalism and the Reading Class" shows, neither of these claims stands up under scrutiny - quite the contrary. Wendy Griswold draws on cases from Italy, Norway, and the United States to show that fans of books form their own reading class, with a distinctive demographic profile separate from the general public. This reading class is modest in size but intense in its literary practices. Paradoxically, these educated and mobile elites work hard to put down local roots by, among other strategies, exploring regional writing. Ultimately, due to the technological, economic, and political advantages they wield, cosmopolitan readers are able to celebrate, perpetuate, and reinvigorate local culture. Griswold's study will appeal to students of cultural sociology and the history of the book - and her findings will be welcome news to anyone worried about the future of reading or the eclipse of place.

"This is a bold, multi-textured, and extremely interesting book that combines fascinating theoretical points with empirically supported case studies. Wendy Griswold explores new territory and underscores its significance cogently and incisively." - Elizabeth Long, author of Book Clubs"

ISBN: 9780226309224

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

208 pages