A Two-Way Street

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Reading is a two-way street. More importantly it is a PRIVATE two-way street. This is the essence of its power. The author has set down words for public consumption, but the transformation of those words into meaning takes place in the unique and fertile quietness of each and every reader's mind. It is alchemy, magically different every time.

This, (to digress), is of course why films of treasured books are often disappointing. They are another person's version of a story. There may be areas of overlap, but a viewing can feel like being subjected to a different and usually inferior tale. Films are so crudely prescriptive compared to books, too. So much is depicted. So much is 'given'. It squeezes the imagination into a tiny space where it can barely breathe.

Anne Fadiman's wonderful essays in 'Ex Libris' make one think about such matters. She is a lover of books par excellence. As a child, as a wife and mother, as a writer, books lie at the heart of her life. She reveres their power, both as cherished objects and as conduits to joy, information, imagination and comfort. Each essay is bite-sized and packed with wisdom and fun. I enjoyed them so much I had to make a conscious effort to read them slowly, to savour every word. Several, like the one about trying to merge her book collection with her husband's, made me laugh out loud.

Before starting 'Ex Libris' there were several black sacks of old books sitting in my hall, waiting for me to have the courage - and the time - to take them to the Charity shop. Since finishing Anne Fadiman's gem of a book I have removed the sacks and decided to buy more shelves instead. I feel so happy about this, as if I was trying to do the 'sensible' thing instead of listening to my heart.



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