In The Stacks: Short Stories About Libraries And Librarians [Hardcover]

Michael Cart (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2004

An anthology of short stories in defence of reading by some of the greatest practitioners of the genre, including Isaac Babel, Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges, Alice Munro, Lori Moore and H.H. Munro (Saki). IN THE STACKS, edited by America's leading librarian, is a volume of most unusual stories about that most evocative place: the library. For many writers and bookworms the local public library was the portal the imagination first stepped across. This volume collects the cream of twentieth century short fiction writing about libraries and librarians and the terrors and pleasures contained in books - from Borge's 'The Library of Babel' to John Cheever's 'Trouble of Marcie Flint' and Lorrie Moore's 'Community Life'. Lunacy, love, obsession and the joy of reading are all gathered together in a volume most would agree is long overdue.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An enchanting anthology of short stories about libraries and librarians written by a host of well-respected authors' - Los Angeles Times 'The public library is more than a repository of books. It's a mysterious, wondrous place, with the power to change lives... This collection captures the drama lurking in a place that is a sanctuary, as well as a home for revolutionaries' - Chicago Tribune 'Anyone who loves books is likely to enjoy reading this unusual collection of stories about libraries and librarians... Michael Cart has collected diverse stories by some of our best writers' - San Antonio Express-New 'An intriguing collection' - Publishers Weekly --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Michael Cart's books include Tomorrowland, a collection of stories for young adults, What's So Funny: Wit and Humour in American Children's Literature, and From Romance to Realism: Fifty Years of Growth and Change in Young Adult Literature. He was the director of the Beverly Hills Public Library for many years and has been the children's book editor for Parent's magazine and is columnist for Booklist. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 268 pages
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co (April 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756777402
• ISBN-13: 978-0756777401
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,791,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Library Book, November 15, 2007

By 

Paul Charlton (Fork Union, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In The Stacks: Short Stories About Libraries And Librarians (Hardcover)

An excellent and varied collection of short stories with the central theme of libraries. Styles range from `serious' literature to entertaining story telling. Many authors use the library as a symbol for civilization and enlightenment which I find hopeful and thought provoking. Makes for enjoyable reading while reflecting on libraries which are not only repositories of knowledge, but very interesting places with their own unique character.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not too bad..., December 26, 2009

By 

Jimmy "Booksontable" (Texas USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In the Stacks: Short Stories about Libraries and Librarians (Paperback)

As with all anthologies, you will find some really good stuff in here and in my opinion, some fairly poor. Overall I would have to say give it a look though. How can you pass up an edition with Mr. Ed the talking horse reading Edgar Wallace books from his local library?