The Library at Night

The book contains fifteen essays that posit the library 'as myth,' 'as shape,' 'as island,' and the like. Manguel has assembled thumbnail biographies, entertaining anecdotes, close readings, and photographic documentation into a kind of commonplace book stitched together by his amiable prose. . . . The Library at Night . . . communicates the joy and the solace of being yourself a reader. -Brian Sholis, BookForum The Library at Night-a series of essays on what one might call the Platonic idea of a library-reveals some of its author's intellectual range and magpie learning. . . [It] is an elegant volume, in both its design and its text. . . . Alberto Manguel has brought out a richly enjoyable book, absolutely enthralling for anyone who loves to read and an inspiration for anybody who has ever dreamed of building a library of his or her own. -Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book World Alberto Manguel . . . the Argentine-born author and bibliophile celebrates books as brothers, as crucial companions for a lifetime. -Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune Manguel has assembled thumbnail biographies, entertaining anecdotes, close readings, and photographic documentation into a kind of commonplace book stitched together by his amiable prose. . . . The Library at Night . . . communicates the joy and the solace of being yourself a reader. -Brian Sholis, BookForum Alberto Manguel has brought out a richly enjoyable book, absolutely enthralling for anyone who loves to read and an inspiration for anybody who has ever dreamed of building a library of his or her own. -Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book World Manguel not only writes beautifully, he is a master of the art of reading. In this wide-ranging, single-minded collection, he empowers fellow book lovers...He tempts you to explore new avenues and sends you hurrying back to old favourites. -Maggie Ferguson, Intelligent Life(The Economist) . . . crowded with memorable tales of reading as rescue, as solace, as liberation, in times of want, fear or tyranny. . . . The Library at Night revels in the physical pleasure of drifting and dipping through the Gutenberg galaxy of ink-on-paper books. -Boyd Tonkin interview with Alberto Manguel, The Independent Books jump out of their jackets when Manguel opens them and dance in delight as they make contact with his ingenious, voluminous brain. He is not the keeper of a silent cemetery, but a master of bibliographical revels. -Peter Conrad, The Observer Books jump out of their jackets when Manguel opens them and dance in delight as they make contact with his ingenious, voluminous brain. He is not the keeper of a silent cemetery, but a master of bibliographical revels. -Peter Conrad, The Observer Books jump out of their jackets when Manguel opens them and dance in delight as they make contact with his ingenious, voluminous brain. He is not the keeper of a silent cemetery, but a master of bibliographical revels. -Peter Conrad, The Observer . . . full of [Manguel's] passion for books. -The Bookseller Manguel not only writes beautifully, he is a master of the art of reading. In this wide-ranging, single-minded collection, he empowers fellow book lovers...He tempts you to explore new avenues and sends you hurrying back to old favourites. -Maggie Ferguson, Intelligent Life (The Economist) Bronze medal winner of the 2008 Book of the Year Award in the category of Architecture, presented by ForeWord magazine In my personal library of imaginary places, and more specifically on the bookcases near my desk, I maintain a shelf reserved for brilliant readers. There's rarely any turnover. Borges, Calvino, Benjamin and Zweig (plus a few other steadfast patrons). With Manguel's The Library at Night, that will clearly have to change. -Allen Kurzweil, author of The Grand Complication and A Case of Curiosities