798 Emma Smith and Portable Magic - A History of Books and Their Readers (Revisited)

In this revisited episode of The History of Literature, host Jack Wilson interviews Oxford professor Emma Smith about her book 'Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers.' The conversation explores how the physical form of books—size, weight, cover, paper quality, even smell—shapes our emotional and intellectual engagement with them, going beyond mere content. Smith draws on historical examples from medieval religious manuscripts to post-war American paperbacks, illustrating how books have been treated as sacred objects, political symbols, and even tools of resistance. The discussion also confronts the darker side of books, such as the controversial legacy of Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' and the paradox of censorship, where banning a book often increases its notoriety. As digital reading grows, Smith reflects on the evolving role of physical books, suggesting they may become more artisanal and valuable, akin to vinyl records, while highlighting the often-overlooked labor of designers, editors, and publishers. Ultimately, she hopes readers will reflect on the personal, emotional significance of the books in their own lives.