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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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Record Number: 12927


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'Two books I remember reading at one sitting are "Dr. Syn" and "The return of Dr. Syn" (Russell Thorndyke), these I read straight off, mainly because I could not take my eyes off the pages, nor my mind from unfolding the plot at express speed. Otherwise, apart from plays which I have to read straight off preferably after a large dinner in order to get full advantage of dramatic technicalities such as Irony, I like to read at leisure. I have said I read fairly slowly taking in each word. I dislike reading by snippets - just as I dislike reading with the wireless on - but I find it hard to read more than one half of a heavy book at one time, for slow reading makes it a long job and also gives you a lot to chew. Two hours is my optimum stretch, this does not apply to light reading or reading when ill in bed.'

Century:

1900-1945

Date:

unknown

Country:

England

Time

evening

Place:

n/a

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

anon

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Unknown

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Unknown/NA

Occupation:

unknown

Religion:

unknown

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Russell Thorndyke

Title:

Dr Syn

Genre:

Fiction

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

12927

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Author:

File Report 62, March 1940, LITERARY QUESTIONNAIRE by H P Elderton and G L Wallace, p. 5, in Mass Observation Online (access to this site is restricted to purchasing institutions, please see http://www.amdigital.co.uk/collections/Mass-Observation-Online for details). http://www.massobservation.amdigital.co.uk ,

Citation:

File Report 62, March 1940, LITERARY QUESTIONNAIRE by H P Elderton and G L Wallace, p. 5, in Mass Observation Online (access to this site is restricted to purchasing institutions, please see http://www.amdigital.co.uk/collections/Mass-Observation-Online for details). http://www.massobservation.amdigital.co.uk , http://can-red-lec.library.dal.ca/Arts/RED/record_details.php?id=12927, accessed: 28 March 2024


Additional Comments:

None

   
   
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