What Is a Book?

What Is a Book? is a 2002 collection of essays by David Kirby, published by the University of Georgia Press.

It has seventeen essays, all written by him and written in the period circa 1992-2002,^[1] about aspects of literature.^[2]

The title of the book came from one of the essays. Another essay is titled "What is a Critic?" G. W. Clift, in the Kansas City Star, wrote that four of the essays are "pillar essays" of the work, with the remaining ones having subordinate roles.^[3] The four key questions are regarding the definitions of book, critic, reader, and writer.^[4]

Jeff Dolven, in the Chicago Tribune, stated that compared to other books describing the history of making literature, the tone is "more personal and more contemporary".^[5]

Reception

Paul D'Alessandro, in Library Journal, stated that he "highly recommended" the book, calling it "surprisingly pleasurable and entertaining to read" as well as "important and useful".^[2]

Brian J. Buchanan of The Tennessean wrote that the book is "emotionally vigorous" and "academically rigorous".^[1]

Clift wrote that he felt "a little brighter" after reading the book.^[3]

Donna Seaman, in Booklist wrote that the essays show "nimbleness and precision".^[6]

Reviewer Floyd Skloot wrote that the main points are "diffuse"; he added that the non-pillar essays give "a slapdash, repetitive feel" as those essays push away the main points and are "loosely connected".^[7]

Robert Armstrong, in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, wrote that "flair and humor" are in the narrative and that the book is not "tedious".^[8]

See also

• The Biscuit Joint
• The Ha-Ha
• The House on Boulevard St.