It had been startling and disappointing to me to find out…
“It had been startling and disappointing to me to find out that story books had been written by people, that books were not natural wonders, coming up of themselves like grass. Yet regardless of where they come from, I cannot remember a time when I was not in love with them -- with the books themselves, cover and binding and the paper they were printed on, with their smell and their weight and with their possession in my arms, captured and carried off to myself. Still illiterate, I was ready for them, committed to all the reading I could give them ...”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage expresses awe for books as crafted objects, emphasizing their physical and emotional appeal despite being man‑made.
In simple terms: Books are cherished physical objects, not natural wonders.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the craft of books.
Themes
literature
nostalgia
materialism
Mood
reflective
sentimental
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- library browsing
- collecting first editions
- gift giving
- academic research
Key Concepts
bookmaking
sensory experience
Questions to Reflect On
- What draws you to physical books?
- How does tactile experience affect reading?
A Different Perspective
Physical books may be less relevant in a digital age.