hollydunndesign's review
4.0
This book was incredible and a must-read for any bibliophile. It explores what we picture when we read novels, in particular focusing on characters. Mendelsund is a graphic designer who specialises in book covers, so the design of this book is superlative. Filled with maps, drawings and diagrams, each page is a pleasure and a surprise. I devoured this book. It made me think really deeply about what I visualise when I’m reading. My only complaint was that it wasn’t longer and therefore didn't go into more detail and theory. It's a fascinating topic that I'm keen to read more about.
dixiet's review
5.0
Fascinating. This gave me a lot to think about. It's definitely a keeper, for future rereads.
gabesteller's review
2.0
I don’t really disagree with much he says in here but i also didn't think it was thaaaat revelatory, maybe i actually was just not as interested in the subject as i thought since this book did sit on my shelf untouched for 5 years. The guys like a book over artist and a graphic designer but i actually Thought a lot of the graphics were mostly kind of annoying, like “clever” images you’d use in slideshow presentations.
honestly the whole book was kinda like a slideshow.
Tough to rate because even though I don't actually disagree with the argument, the presentation is so much of what this book is.
has been a couple months since i read this an I i have decided to give in to irrational hate. 2 stars sorry pete
honestly the whole book was kinda like a slideshow.
Tough to rate because even though I don't actually disagree with the argument, the presentation is so much of what this book is.
has been a couple months since i read this an I i have decided to give in to irrational hate. 2 stars sorry pete
mrspenningalovesbooks's review
5.0
This book is made for an English teacher, bibliophile, philosopher, or an avid over thinker! I absolutely loved mendelsund’s points about seeing vs. understanding in what we read. Do we picture a character or feel a character or understand a character? Or synthesize all three? Such a great way to look a close reading skills and the metacognition that can occur while reading if we are aware of it. Perfect book to read before the AP exam to help prep my students in a new way.
“Words are not effective because of what they carry in them, but for their latent potential to unlock the accumulated experience of the reader.”
“Words are like arrows— they are something, and they also point toward something.”
“Words are not effective because of what they carry in them, but for their latent potential to unlock the accumulated experience of the reader.”
“Words are like arrows— they are something, and they also point toward something.”
the_s_lightacademic's review
4.0
4.5
this was extremely interesting. I am absolutely fascinated with the ideas of language and the actual act of consuming words and everything involved in that process, so this was a very interesting perception.
it did seem a bit too long, and by the end I found my eyes drifting off occasionally, but I believe part of that is because the topics discussed are so philosophical and mind-heavy, ones that we don't take the time to think about on a regular basis, that it was hard for me to stay focused. However, I feel as though a lot of the points Mendelsund made were valid and a good, different, and distinct way of looking at how we as humans envision our reading experience.
I also enjoyed the mixed media throughout the book as well; it was a nice connection to "seeing" what we were reading
this was extremely interesting. I am absolutely fascinated with the ideas of language and the actual act of consuming words and everything involved in that process, so this was a very interesting perception.
it did seem a bit too long, and by the end I found my eyes drifting off occasionally, but I believe part of that is because the topics discussed are so philosophical and mind-heavy, ones that we don't take the time to think about on a regular basis, that it was hard for me to stay focused. However, I feel as though a lot of the points Mendelsund made were valid and a good, different, and distinct way of looking at how we as humans envision our reading experience.
I also enjoyed the mixed media throughout the book as well; it was a nice connection to "seeing" what we were reading
circularcubes's review
5.0
4.5 stars
a fascinating take on what we think of and visualize when we read
highly recommended to all the avid readers in my life
a fascinating take on what we think of and visualize when we read
highly recommended to all the avid readers in my life
tahliastuddart's review
5.0
My favourite teacher gave me this book when I left high school and it still slaps just as hard as it did then. Thanks KC you were my inspiration to study lit