A Reader's Delight

by Noel Perrin

Book Overview

One of America's finest essayists writes about 40 literary masterpieces that have been wrongfully forgotten or were ignored in the first place. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874514320
• ISBN13: 9780874514322
• Release Date: March 1988
• Publisher: University Press of New England
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful book - even for not much of a reader

This book is a real pleasure to read. All the short chapters (essays, pieces) are well and enjoyably written. I skip those whose subjects don't appeal but I am making mental notes about those that do--and out of this brief book I'm planning to read 3 or 4 of the recommendations: a novel on WWII, a photo-narrative book on hoboes, the diary of a brilliant brit who died young, and perhaps a few others.

Break Through to the Other Side

I long suspected a hidden treasure, a list of books closely guarded by academia. This is the list. What a joy, delight. Inspiring. Like finding a private library. Just, don't tell Oprah. Something For Everyone, might be a suitable subtitle, for the list within could launch several genres of works. This is a thin antidote for writer's block and tepid literary challenges of your local lit club for sure. Overlooked gems.

Not just a book, practically a good friend

I discovered this book when I was 14, and have reread it almost annually. Many of the books Perrin recommended have become favorites of mine also, and even when they haven't, this book is still worth it for Perrin's great writing and his deep affection and understanding of what the printed word can do. It's honest, refreshingly unpretentious, and compulsively readable. This book makes you happy to be alive and glad to be an inveterate reader. I highly, highly recommend it!

From the Den of Literary Obscurity!

Even though I worked in a library for years and read dozens of books a month, I am ashamed to admit that I hadn't read any of Noel Perrin's recommendations outlined in "A Reader's Delight". I have now, though.In essay after wonderful essay, Perrin uncovers gem after glorious gem. From Russian Sci-Fi ("Far Rainbow") to World War II memoirs ("When the Snow Comes, They Will Take You") , from lyrical fiction ("The Bottom of the Harbor") to the next-best-thing to Jane Austen ("The Semi-Attached Couple"), many of these books are out-of-print, some truly obscure, and all of them terrific. Startling eclectic, Perrin discuses books from virtually every genre and he does so with grace and wit. There's tales of ancient China, old journals, satires, children's books and even a poem. This is guy who not only knows good books, but adores them, and he doesn't care where he finds them. In the introduction, Perrin tells about a professor he knew who cited the "Little House on the Prairie" books among his all time favorites, and Perrin makes it clear that true book-lovers know no snobbishness. Some of these books will be a bit hard to track down, but most can be had by simply utilizing your local interlibrary loan program. In any case, "A Reader's Delight" is a must have for those who love a good read, not only for the recommendations but for Perrin's own stylish writing.GRADE: B+

For booklovers..

An interesting collection of reviews of books you wish you could have read. I've always been interested in old books, and now, thanks to this book, I've got a couple I'm definitely keeping my eye out for