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The Bibliotheca(Photius) (Greek: Βιβλιοθήκη)
or Myriobiblos (Greek: Μυριόβιβλος) for
"Ten Thousand Books"
The Bibliotheca (Photius) was a ninth-century work of Byzantine Patriarch of Constantinople Photius, dedicated to his brother and composed of 279 reviews of books which he had read.
The history of book reviews traces back to antiquity, with early forms appearing in ancient summaries and discussions of texts, and evolving into dedicated publications with the first major journals like the French Journal des Sçavans in 1665 and later English publications like The Monthly Review in 1749. These publications grew in importance, particularly with the rise of the printing press and expanded literacy, eventually becoming a standard part of the literary world to inform readers, guide authors, and serve as a record of intellectual and cultural history.
Famous book reviews from the 19th century highlight the mixed and often initially negative reception of groundbreaking works like Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, which one reviewer advised burning, while also noting the more positive, albeit sometimes critical, reception of authors like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Critiques frequently commented on the style, realism, and themes of these novels, with contemporary reviews providing a valuable snapshot of how these classics were perceived in their own time.
· Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë: Initially received with confusion and hostility. A review in The North British Review stated the book was so unpalatable it would "never be generally read," while another reviewer recommended "burning the book".
· Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Early reviews praised the "careless originality" and realism of the heroines, though some critics found the domestic and "feminine" realism a drawback compared to the grander historical novels of the time, like those by Walter Scott.
· Middlemarch by George Eliot: Received a mixed reaction upon publication but grew in critical standing over time to be considered a high point of 19th-century fiction.
· A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: These novels are now considered classics, with contemporary reviews contributing to the enduring legacy of Dickens's works.
· The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: Considered a masterpiece for its aesthetic qualities and its "grim and shrewd expression of the socio-cultural aspects of nineteenth century American life".
Key takeaway: Contemporary reviews often struggled with and sometimes rejected works that we now consider masterpieces. This highlights the shift in literary tastes and the power of time to re-evaluate artistic merit.
Online Places to find reviews:
· Wikipedia's list of 19th-century British periodicals provides a starting point for locating contemporary reviews.
· Other resources like The Online Books Page and Wiley's academic archives offer further access to historical criticism.
BOOK REVIEWS VS READER REVIEWS
Book reviews is a genre in itself. Sadly, many authors expect their readers to leave a book review which is in fact a customer review and not a book review. Book reviews have a legacy to cherish and needs to be cultivated further for the upkeep of a vibrant literature.
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