Have Books Souls?

Do the Volumes on the Shelves Demand Consideration?

Books, we are credibly informed, have souls. So, in all probability, have houses, towns, vegetables, hair nets, tin cans. In the case of books, however, the situation becomes more acute. The soul of a book tends rather to force itself upon the reader. One is led to wonder what other qualities noble or ignoble the unassuming volumes on our shelves share with the existing lords of creation. Have books feelings, sensibilities, all those little emotional refinements which make of life so deli cate an adventure? No...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!