Dear Reader
Navigating the Shift from Print to Digital
Paul Fournel author David Bellos translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Pushkin Press
Published:3rd May '18
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The tale follows an old-school publisher navigating the challenges of modern technology, as Dear Reader humorously contrasts tradition and innovation in the literary world.
In Dear Reader, the story unfolds with Robert Dubois, an old-school publisher who finds himself at a crossroads in his career. He has spent decades immersed in the world of books, but lately, he feels as though he is merely revisiting the same stories, albeit through the lens of new authors. As he reflects on his journey, he grapples with the notion that perhaps it is time to embrace the end of his career, much like a comfortable afternoon after a long lunch. However, his routine is disrupted when he receives an unexpected gift—a cutting-edge e-reader.
This new technology serves as a catalyst for change, prompting Robert to reconsider his views on publishing and the literary landscape. Through a blend of humor and poignant moments, Dear Reader explores the tension between traditional publishing and the digital age. Robert's encounters with the e-reader lead him to confront the evolving nature of storytelling and the impact of technology on the written word.
As the narrative unfolds, readers are treated to a heartfelt exploration of the publishing world, filled with quirky characters and relatable experiences. Dear Reader is not just a story about books; it is a reflection on the passage of time, the joy of discovery, and the bittersweet nature of change. With its witty prose and insightful observations, this book captures the essence of what it means to be a reader in an ever-evolving literary landscape.
Delightfully satirical... [the] ultimate celebration of printed books * Le Monde *
All about the intense and carnal pleasures of reading * Telerama *
Poetic, satirical and delicate: here is a novel in urgent need of reading * L’Express *
A delight * Le Figaro *
Brief, witty, intellectual and wonderfully quotable... the most truthful account of literary ennui I have ever read... a quietly remarkable little book * Spectator *
Dear Reader is a joyously satirical, affectionate novel - unashamedly a book about books * Huffington Post *
A wry but affectionate look at today's publishing world * The Lady *
[A] pleasingly bookish novella... can be hugely enjoyed without being studiously deciphered * TLS *
A wonderful book full of wry humour and surprising twists * The Bay *
Dear Reader is a good example of why the Oulipian method isn't merely a game, but rather a surprisingly fertile approach to writing * The Complete Review *
ISBN: 9781782275220
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
176 pages