From Writer to Reader: Studies in Editorial Method by Philip Gaskell

by Philip Gaskell

Most of the major works of English literature are readily available today only in versions that are sadly inadequate. There are few reliable specialist editions; much worse, the majority of paperback texts of English and American authors that are sold in their millions to students and general readers are corrupt and misleading. This is as unnecessary as it is undesirable. By combining a critical judgement with an understanding of textual bibliography, an editor can establish a 'critical' text that is as authoritative as the evidence allows, and can present it in the form best suited to his intended audience. The examples given in this book show how this may be done." "Dr. Philip Gaskell presents extracts from the early texts of twelve works of literature, chosen because of their importance as works of art and on account of the quality of surviving textual evidence. He follows them through all the stages from writer to reader, giving the reader an insight into the subject which will help all those engaged in the study of literature.

Genres: Grad School

Paperback

First published October 5, 1978

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first ten pages are a whirlwind intro to what he's going to be talking about in detail the rest of the book: twelve examples of how books took shape, from author's notes and manuscript through the printed copies within the authors' lives. He picks these 12 for reasons of interest, and there is a wide range of experience from 1591 through the 1970s (though all are white men). There's a balance here - some might even say a contradiction - between the seeming science, the black/white right/wrongness of sound editorial method, and the places where judgement is called for and there is no one right answer.