Becoming a Reader: The Experience of Fiction from Childhood to Adulthood

by J.A. Appleyard

Becoming a Reader studies the psychological development of readers of fictional stories across the entire lifespan. The author argues that regardless of personality and background, readers go through a regular sequence of stages as they mature from childhood to adulthood which affects how they experience and respond to stories. Literary theorists, reading psychologists, and general readers interested in the power of reading will find this to be an insightful book.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1991

Reviews

[Clio (Bemuzed) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, despite having to struggle through the first two chapters. I think it really gave me some insights into the way I've developed as a reader where previously I would've only been able to point out that what I read has changed and not that my manner of reading has changed as well. Only downpoint for me is the fact that fantasy is linked to an immature way of reading, maybe not made explicit - but this judgement is their between the lines at the very least, while I think you can apply the other ways of reading to this genre as well.