“There never was a time when those that read at all, read so many books by living authors rather than books by dead authors. Therefore there was never a time so completely parochial, so completely shut off from the past.” — T. S. Eliot
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Chris Barts 11.30.11 at 20:20
Based on the popularity of Eliot alone, I doubt his little jeremiad applies very well to our current time. Maybe it was more true in Eliot’s lifetime?
Ah, but statements like that are only ever ‘true’ for people who believe them already; it suffices that they convert the choir.
John 11.30.11 at 20:30
I’ve read studies that say most Americans don’t even read one book a year. When they do read a book, I doubt many are reading Eliot.