The Browser's Ecstasy: A Meditation on Reading

by Geoffrey O'Brien

A prose poem about reading, this work offers a playful nocturne about the dreamstate one falls into when one becomes lost in a book.

Genres: Books About Books, Poetry

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2000

Reviews

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

At long last, I've found a book containing the sentence, "In the shadows of a barbecue, one of them makes love with the reflection of another's companion."

Another sentence is 15 pages and commaless, O'Brien's plot summary of a(n) [imaginary?] novel called The Blasphemers, a potboiler spanning centuries.

Someone at Counterpoint Press decided it was a good idea for the art and design credits to be blue text on a blue background.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy addition to the growing books-on-books section of my library. Rhapsodic and insightful in equal measure, though some narrative and conceptual threads fall a little short.
Perfect for browsing- to pick up and read a couple paragraphs from anywhere inside.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started very slow and very unusual. I almost gave it up but skimmed ahead. Really only those who enjoy reading about reading will enjoy this book

[Kevin Waggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I garnered several insights into my reading meditation and thinking. This book opened my eyes in a very delightful way.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely little book of prose poetry re: reading.

[Kiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that will always be on my shelf. A treasure for those of us who love books.

[Beth Shields-Szostak]

1st Printing