The Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(2.9 stars; 4 reviews)

Do you love books? No, I mean REALLY love books? These series of sketches on the delights, adventures, and misadventures connected with bibliomania (bibliomania is characterized by the collecting of books which have no use to the collector nor any great intrinsic value to a genuine book collector. The purchase of multiple copies of the same book and edition and the accumulation of books beyond possible capacity of use or enjoyment are frequent symptoms of bibliomania.). The author wholeheartedly enjoyed this pursuit all his life and his descriptions are delightful to read. Anyone who has lovingly held a book, smelled it, and enjoyed it for being just what it is, will understand what the author puts so well. According to the author, collectors may be grouped in three classes: Those who collect from vanity, those who collect for the benefits of learning and those who collect out of veneration and love for books. Mr. Field fell squarely in the latter category.

(Summary from the preface and Phil Chenevert) (4 hr 36 min)

Chapters

MY FIRST LOVE 13:35 Read by David Wales
THE BIRTH OF A NEW PASSION 15:47 Read by David Wales
THE LUXURY OF READING IN BED 11:55 Read by April Gonzales
THE MANIA OF COLLECTING SEIZES ME 14:40 Read by David Wales
BALDNESS AND INTELLECTUALITY 16:23 Read by Adam
MY ROMANCE WITH FIAMMETTA 13:04 Read by David Wales
THE DELIGHTS OF FENDER-FISHING 15:02 Read by David Wales
BALLADS AND THEIR MAKERS 14:07 Read by David Wales
BOOKSELLERS AND PRINTERS, OLD AND NEW 16:25 Read by David Wales
WHEN FANCHONETTE BEWITCHED ME 13:55 Read by asterix
DIAGNOSIS OF THE BACILLUS LIBRORUM 14:07 Read by Availle
THE PLEASURES OF EXTRA-ILLUSTRATION 13:28 Read by David Wales
ON THE ODORS WHICH MY BOOKS EXHALE 13:12 Read by Crln Yldz Ksr
ELZEVIRS AND DIVERS OTHER MATTERS 14:56 Read by David Wales
A BOOK THAT BRINGS SOLACE AND CHEER 15:10 Read by David Wales
THE MALADY CALLED CATALOGITIS 14:49 Read by David Wales
THE NAPOLEONIC RENAISSANCE 12:03 Read by Petra
MY WORKSHOP AND OTHERS 16:36 Read by Leonard Wilson (1930-2024)
OUR DEBT TO MONKISH MEN 15:25 Read by David Wales

Reviews

Disappointing


(2 stars)

I love books, but I struggled to enjoy this. The author's fanciful ramblings left me bored and confused at times, although there were moments where I felt inspired by his passion for books. Listeners need to keep in mind that this is a satire. Eugene Field is not writing as himself, although there is overlap between him and the narrator. The book included some odd comments about women, and the penultimate chapter began with a lengthy section on women that I found offensive, despite the satirical form.

Ditto, Janelle!


(2.5 stars)

Yes, this book tries to be funny, but it only succeeds being sour and grouchy.