Description
By: Eugene Field (1850-1895)
The Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac by Eugene Field is a delightful romp through the world of book collectors and lovers. Field’s whimsical writing style and charming anecdotes bring to life the eccentric characters and passionate obsessions of bibliophiles throughout history.
The author’s own experiences and love affair with books are evident throughout the book, as he shares his amusing encounters with rare editions, eccentric collectors, and unexpected treasures found in dusty old bookshops. Field’s passion for books is infectious, and readers will find themselves swept up in the thrill of the hunt and the joy of discovery that comes with each new addition to a collection.
While the book is light-hearted and humorous, Field also touches on deeper themes of obsession, desire, and the power of books to transport and transform us. The Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac is a charming and entertaining read that will appeal to anyone who has ever felt the magical pull of a bound volume or the thrill of stumbling upon a hidden gem in a secondhand bookstore.
Book Description:
Do you love books? No, I mean REALLY love books? These series of sketches on the delights, adventures, and misadventures connected with bibliomania (bibliomania is characterized by the collecting of books which have no use to the collector nor any great intrinsic value to a genuine book collector. The purchase of multiple copies of the same book and edition and the accumulation of books beyond possible capacity of use or enjoyment are frequent symptoms of bibliomania.). The author wholeheartedly enjoyed this pursuit all his life and his descriptions are delightful to read. Anyone who has lovingly held a book, smelled it, and enjoyed it for being just what it is, will understand what the author puts so well. According to the author, collectors may be grouped in three classes: Those who collect from vanity, those who collect for the benefits of learning and those who collect out of veneration and love for books. Mr. Field fell squarly in the latter category.
