Harold Bloom's "How to Read and Why" argues that solitary readers should engage with great books to discover and augment the self, reading for aesthetic pleasure, increased individuality, and self-knowledge. Drawing on his extensive experience as a critic, teacher, and reader, Bloom guides readers to immerse themselves in different literary forms and to find sustenance and companionship in complex literary characters.
Bloom shares his profound joy and extensive knowledge of major writers like Shakespeare, Cervantes, Austen, Dickinson, Melville, Wilde, and O'Connor, offering an eloquent invitation to read well. He illuminates how close reading can lead to a deeper understanding of texts and oneself, enhancing the solitary reader's life through the wisdom found in canonical literature.
Key concepts
- Augment the self — The process of expanding one's own identity and understanding through reading.
- Solitary reader — The individual who reads independently for personal enrichment.
- Sustaining wisdom — The valuable insights and enduring knowledge gained from engaging with great books.
- Literary forms — The diverse structures and styles employed by authors in their writing.
- Lifetime companionship — The lasting connection and engagement a reader can find with literary characters.