History of book and reading: a new transdisciplinary field of scientific research

Abstract

According to American cultural historian and academic librarian Robert Darnton, the history of the book resembles a tropical rainforest more than a research field. On the other hand, French historian and historiographer Roger Chartier suggests exploring different types of reading. Following the extensive contribution of both scholars, this paper strives to present a short review of the emergence, scope, and development of the history of books and reading, as well as its leading authors and works. Furthermore, the paper utilizes three English novels to briefly shed light on the phenomenon of the readers’ and critics’ reception in different social and historical contexts. In compliance with the observed, this paper concludes with the anticipation of the increased significance of the history of books and reading, keeping in mind the changing reading habits in the digital era.

Keywords

• history of reading
• types of reading
• history of books
• manuscripts
• printed book
• author
• reader