Books are a uniquely portable magic. They have the power to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to new ideas, and evoke a range of emotions within us. Unlike other forms of media, books can be taken with us wherever we go, allowing us to access their magic at any time. One of the greatest attributes of books is their ability to transport us to different worlds. Through the pages of a book, we can journey to far-off lands, explore fantastical realms, or revisit historical times. We can accompany characters on their adventures, experiencing their triumphs and hardships along the way.
In his memoir, On Writing, bestselling author Stephen King describes books as “a uniquely portable magic.” Books are a way through which people can forget about the stresses of everyday life, escape to a different world or learn about something new. Now, books are even more portable with options to download e-books and audiobooks onto your smartphone – for free – using your library card.
As I continued to read more and more, I got to know more about language of that time, including many words and structures that occur in books but nor in our verbal communication. In other words, as Smith clarifies, books are vital exemplars of a resilient technology that has barely changed over more than a millennium but that has changed us, our habits, and our culture.
We can accompany characters on their adventures, experiencing their triumphs and hardships along the way. Whether it is the magical world of Harry Potter or the dystopian society of Brave New World, books have the power to immerse us in their narratives and spark our imaginations. Books also have the power to introduce us to new ideas and perspectives.
Review: 'Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers,' by Emma Smith
NONFICTION: A delightful examination of the symbol and meaning behind physical texts, for people who love books.
By Randy Rosenthal, Special to the Star Tribune November 18, 2022 — 7:45am Save Tap the bookmark to save this article. View saved articles Gift Gift this Article Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it- Copy link
Where does a text exist? A book seems like the obvious answer, but texts can be orally transmitted, etched onto banana leaves, or downloaded from cyberspace and read on a screen. Yet whereas a text is metaphysical, books are decidedly physical (leaving aside, for now, e-books and audiobooks) and Oxford professor Emma Smith explores books as material objects in "Portable Magic," a book for people who love books.
Lifting her title from Stephen King, who in "On Writing" wrote that books are "a uniquely portable magic," Smith accordingly begins her delightful introduction with the fable of the Sorcerer and the Apprentice, retold many times but most indelibly in Disney's "Fantasia." Books, the fable tells us, contain power. If not handled by a properly trained scholar, they can unleash not only danger but evil — think "Mein Kampf," to which Smith devotes a chapter. Yet she's most interested in the form of books, not their content.
Books are symbols, that is, and Smith initially stumbles with her chapter on Gutenberg's Bible, debunking the "Western myth" of it symbolizing innovation in printing, as the process previously existed in China and elsewhere. But no one seriously thinks "print is a European invention," as she claims, just that books are. Smith's weakest passages are such rote, post-colonial critiques, which she delivers perfunctorily, as if obliged.
Previous to Gutenberg, of course, there were scrolls, which is how the books of the Bible were originally kept. The first codex, Smith tells us, was able to collect these scrolls of the Bible into one book, allowing the reader to flip pages, easily compare earlier or later parts of a text, keep our place with a mark, and do other activities we now take for granted. In other words, as Smith clarifies, books "are vital exemplars of a resilient technology that has barely changed over more than a millennium but that has changed us, our habits, and our culture."
Chapter by chapter, Smith offers case studies to promote theories about how books as objects convey meaning. For instance, a book's presentation determines how it's read. Large and heavy leather-bound books with elaborate designs and an iron latch are treated as sacred objects, even guarded behind lock and key, whereas mass-market paperbacks are flippantly left in little free libraries for the next reader.
Does anybody remember Shakespeare’s stories in school? Julius Caesar or The Merchant of Venice ?
They serve as a window into the minds of others, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, beliefs, and experiences. Through literature, we can empathize with characters whose lives are vastly different from our own, broadening our perspectives and fostering a sense of compassion and understanding. Furthermore, books have the ability to evoke a range of emotions within us. They can make us laugh, cry, or feel a sense of awe. As we become engrossed in a story, we become emotionally invested in the characters' journeys and their struggles. This emotional connection can lead to a profound impact on our own lives, as we reflect on the themes and messages conveyed through the pages of a book. What sets books apart from other forms of media is their portability. Unlike films or television shows, books can be easily carried with us wherever we go. This means that we can access their magic at any time, whether it be during a lunch break at work or while traveling on a train. The ability to have an entire world contained within the pages of a book in our bag or pocket is a truly remarkable form of magic. In conclusion, books are a uniquely portable magic. They have the power to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to new ideas, and evoke a range of emotions within us. The ability to carry a book with us wherever we go allows us to access their magic at any time. In a world filled with constant distractions, books offer a form of escape and a chance to indulge in the wonders of literature..
Reviews for "The Secret of Books: Unveiling Their Unique Portability"
- John Smith - 2/5 stars - I know I'm in the minority here, but I just can't get on board with the idea that books are a uniquely portable magic. There are so many other portable forms of entertainment these days, like smartphones and tablets. Books may have been magical in the past, but they just don't hold the same allure for me anymore.
- Sarah Johnson - 3/5 stars - While I appreciate the sentiment behind the statement that books are a uniquely portable magic, I have to disagree. Sure, books can be taken anywhere, but so can e-readers and audiobooks. In today's digital age, where we have so many options for reading on the go, I find it hard to believe that books hold some special kind of magic that other forms of media do not.
- Michael Lee - 2/5 stars - I understand the romantic notion of books being a uniquely portable magic, but I can't help but feel that it's a bit exaggerated. Yes, books can be taken anywhere and open up whole new worlds, but so can movies, TV shows, and video games. In fact, these forms of media often offer more immersive experiences than books do. So while I enjoy reading, I don't think books are the only portable magic out there.