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Title details for Papyrus by Irene Vallejo - Wait list

Papyrus

The Invention of Books in the Ancient World

by Irene Vallejo
Charlotte Whittle
Audiobook
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0 of 1 copy available
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A "masterly" (Economist), prize-winning, internationally bestselling history of books in the ancient world
"Exquisite. . . . Beautifully translated into English by Charlotte Whittle, who is able to convey both Vallejo’s passionate narrative presence and her synthesising intelligence.” —The Guardian
Long before books were mass-produced, hand-copied scrolls made from Nile River reeds were the treasures of the ancient world. Emperors and pharaohs, determined to possess them, dispatched emissaries to the edges of the known world to bring them back. Exploring the deep and fascinating history of the written word, from the oral tradition to scrolls to codices, internationally bestselling author Irene Vallejo shows that books have always been a precious and precarious vehicle for civilization.
Through fascinating stories from history, insightful readings of the classics, and poignant personal reflection, Vallejo traces the dramatic history of the book and the fight for its survival. At its heart a spirited love letter to language itself, Papyrus takes readers on a journey across the centuries to discover how a simple reed grown along the banks of the Nile would give birth to a rich and cherished culture.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 18, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593627655
      • File size: 504059 KB
      • Duration: 17:30:07

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      June 20, 2022
      Novelist and essayist Vallejo makes her English-language debut with this rewarding exploration of how books and libraries developed in the ancient Hellenistic and Roman eras. Detailing the influence of oral traditions on written narratives, changes in format from papyrus scrolls to tablets and codices, and the interplay between these early books and social, political, and cultural shifts, Vallejo contends that the history of books is closely intertwined with the development of Western civilization. She spotlights the creation, influence, and eventual decline of the Library of Alexandria; the subsequent burgeoning of libraries and booksellers in the Roman world; and the research methods and rhetorical techniques of Homer, Aristotle, Herodotus, and other Greek and Roman writers and philosophers. Throughout, Vallejo eloquently expresses her enthusiasm for literature and libraries, describing how the isolation and confusion she felt during a research fellowship at Oxford were alleviated by trips to the Sackler and Bodleian libraries and lamenting the social forces that imperil freedom of expression and maintenance of cultural memory. Written in a lush and immersive style and shot through with sparkling turns of phrase, this is catnip for bibliophiles and ancient history buffs.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This audiobook's subtitle--"The Invention of Books in the Ancient World"-- describes this work better than its title. This history of books moves from the oral tradition to scrolls to codices and recounts how those lay the foundation for Western culture. The author's anecdotal style and short chapters translate well to audio. Sophie Robert offers an able and pleasing narration. Her pace is easy to follow, and her almost lilting intonation makes listening a pleasure. Robert renders episodes such as Alexander the Great's love of Homer's ILIAD more like conversation and less like pure history. She adds bits of emotion where appropriate and breaks up the author's sometimes complex sentences into easier-to-comprehend pieces. Robert makes the author's almost extreme degree of detail palatable. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      June 10, 2024

      Spanish historian and philologist Vallejo's (El infinito en un junco [Infinity in a Reed]) work exploring books, stories, and more takes listeners on a rich, 17 1/2-hour journey, pleasingly narrated by Sophie Robert. This is a true saga of writing and reading, beginning before the titular papyrus was discovered and continuing to the modern day. Vallejo imparts fascinating bits of information that listeners may be excited to reveal to their friends. Although the subject matter may seem dauntingly academic, this book should appeal to casual listeners and scholars alike. Information is doled out in easily digestible anecdotes and presented as discrete sections rather than as complex layers building toward an esoteric thesis. It is less a dense analysis of writing and more a joyful exploration of reading. Robert captures this feeling perfectly, sounding energized by this stroll across history made possible by books. This audio ends up feeling like a conversation that can be revisited and continued whenever Robert stops by--which makes this an especially great listen to savor during a commute. VERDICT This lengthy but lively audio will feel like a breeze to anyone interested in the history of writing.--Matthew Galloway

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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