Thank You for Not Reading

By Dubravka Ugrešić

Book Overview

Thank You for Not Reading is a biting critique of book publishing: agents, subagents, and scouts, supermarket-like bookstores, Joan Collins, book fairs that have little to do with books, authors promoted because of sex appeal instead of merit, and editors trying to look like writers by having their photograph taken against a background of bookshelves. Nowadays, the best strategy for young authors wanted to publish is to become famous in some other capacity first--as a sports star, an actress, or an Ivana Trump.

One of the most interesting and paradoxical comparisons coming out of Ugresic's dissection of book culture is the similarity between the art of socialist realism (as prescribed by the Soviets) and the nature of the contemporary marketplace to produce and promote art that appeals to everyone. Thanks to cultural forces like listicles and celebrity book clubs, the publishing machine neglects literature in favor of accessible, entertaining books for the masses.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1948830450
• ISBN13: 9781948830454
• Release Date: April 2022
• Publisher: Open Letter Books
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Modern critique of the publishing and editing world

It has been many years since I read one of Ms. Ugresic's books. I loved her short stories, so when I saw her book "Thank you for Not Reading" featured prominently in my local library display, I had to read her latest essays on the literary publishing world. I have enjoyed this book very much, since it makes very careful observations about book market here in the US. Ms. Ugresic is able to be critical without being cynical or bitter. Her references to the work of contemporary eastern european writers, exiled in the West, attempting to present their work to the larger audiences is understandably painful at times, but yet she manages to write about it with dignity and humor. Quotes from grumbling Eeyore are very humbling which reminds me that I should read about Eeyore's (mis)adventures soon again. I guess what surprised me a litlle is that in her earlier works, Ms. Ugresic's publishers have always referred to her as a Croatian writer, while in this book Ms. Ugresic seems to refer to herself as a Yugoslav writer. In any case, I have enjoyed this book, it is right on the mark on what is happening in the publishing industry and I am looking forward to reading and re-reading Ms. Ugresic's literary work.

Insightful and Entertaining Essays

This collection of essays from the Croatian writer Dubravka Ugresic deals with the state of literature and the arts, the media, the condition of exile and other subjects. While a few of the essays are merely glib, most offer many interesting insights, such as the fact that it is the market, rather than communism, which has most successfully enforced the ideals of "socialist realism" in the arts; that it is the sheer volume of new books, rather than their absence, which has resulted in the death of literature. An entertaining and interesting collection - recommended.