The Future of Reading

Why do we read? What happens to our imaginations when we read? To our knowledge? What creative forces are unleashed? What are the wider implications of all of this?

In a truly engaging and accessible style, The Future of Reading looks at the very experience of reading; not just the consumption and interpretation of texts, but also reading as an artistic process that demands creative freedom and unfolds from deep in the soul. Rather than analysing or critiquing texts, this book examines what happens to us when we read: the complex human experience which frees us from certain boundaries and constraints, and then looks at how we can use this freedom of mind to creatively tackle much larger issues in the world. Eric Purchase argues that creative reading enables us to generate answers for complex, real-world problems that cut across fields of knowledge and, therefore, defy solution by experts.

Enjoyable, challenging, unique, and astute, this book will open up the reading experience for students and all readers interested in using literature and reading as a positive force in their lives and the world.

Chapter 1. The Freedom of a Reader Part I: The Experience of Reading Chapter 2. Reading as a Dream Chapter 3. The Psychology of Readers Chapter 4. Committing to the Text Chapter 5. The Archetypes of Meaning Part II: Ways of Reading Chapter 6. Intimacy with Books Chapter 7. Consulting Oracles Chapter 8. Translation Part III: The Functions of Reading Chapter 9. The World Chapter 10. The Unknown Chapter 11. Reading in the Digital Age

Eric Purchase earned a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Connecticut, USA. He taught writing and literature there, and at other universities, for 12 years. He now works as a professional writer and an independent scholar.