Paraphernalia
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Home > Religion, Philosophy & Sprituality > Philosophy > Popular philosophy > Paraphernalia: The Curious Lives of Magical Things
Paraphernalia: The Curious Lives of Magical Things

Paraphernalia: The Curious Lives of Magical Things


     0     
5
4
3
2
1



Out of Stock


Notify me when this book is in stock
X
About the Book

From combs and keys to sweets and handkerchiefs, certain objects, though seemingly mundane, can have a magical quality, and an often surprising power to arouse, absorb, disturb, or soothe. Take bags, for example. Why do most women carry handbags, while men rely on pockets? Why do so many houses have bags of bags? And why do we 'let the cat out the bag' or 'give someone the sack'? What significance do our bags hold for us? Imaginatively and entertainingly, Steven Connor embarks on a historical, philosophical and linguistic journey that explores our relationships with the curious things with which we have a forgotten but daily intimacy.

About the Author :
Steven Connor is professor of modern literature and theory at Birkbeck College. He is also academic director of the London Consortium inter-disciplinary graduate programme in humanities and cultural studies. He is the author of several academic books (on subjects ranging from the English novel to ventriloquism) and contributes regularly to print media and radio. This is his first general book.

Review :
Steven Connor is among the most eloquent and original cultural critics at work today... who can apparently write about anything, no matter how mundane, and make it seem rich and strange A marvellously clever, riddling, infectiously playful book. It brims over with all the pleasure of button box and gallimaufry. Steven Connor has written a love letter to the familiar objects with which we spend our time, and daily life is much the richer for it. Who would have thought that fishing at the back of a desk drawer or the bottom of a handbag could reel in such treasures? As with any good book on material culture Connor refuses the natural humility of everyday stuff such as sellotape, rubber bands and buttons, and shows how much we gain by paying them close attention and appreciating how they came to be there and their continued supportive role in our lives. These are the blindingly obvious objects that we never see precisely because they are in front of our noses. Thanks to this book fidgeting will be a far more thoughtful occupation in the future. Connor has a nimble wit and fresh eye Ingenious, whimsical, imaginative and entertaining, this is a magical little book; a pleasurable and fidgetable stimulus to the mind. Recommended... Readers will enjoy Connor on the "eroticism of rubber", the fascination of pipe-smoking, the joy of fidgeting and the relationship between spectacles and the existential drama of "self-invention". A critic and essayist of exceptional tact and daring... a writer who can seemingly conjure the profoundest insights out of the most minute or mundane topics... fascinating... witty and charming. Urbane, witty and seductive... challenging and often enchanting My holiday read... I'm intrigued because I sometimes think the little things we surround ourselves with and barely notice are as important as the huge things we obsess about. The book's beauty lies in this consideration of detail and specifics and the re-imagination of seemingly mundane objects.


Best Sellers


Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9781846682704
  • Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
  • Publisher Imprint: Profile Books Ltd
  • Height: 222 mm
  • No of Pages: 256
  • Sub Title: The Curious Lives of Magical Things
  • Width: 144 mm
  • ISBN-10: 1846682703
  • Publisher Date: 09 Jun 2011
  • Binding: Hardback
  • Language: English
  • Spine Width: 26 mm
  • Weight: 432 gr


Similar Products

Add Photo
Add Photo

Customer Reviews

REVIEWS      0     
Click Here To Be The First to Review this Product
Paraphernalia: The Curious Lives of Magical Things
Profile Books Ltd -
Paraphernalia: The Curious Lives of Magical Things
Writing guidlines
We want to publish your review, so please:
  • keep your review on the product. Review's that defame author's character will be rejected.
  • Keep your review focused on the product.
  • Avoid writing about customer service. contact us instead if you have issue requiring immediate attention.
  • Refrain from mentioning competitors or the specific price you paid for the product.
  • Do not include any personally identifiable information, such as full names.

Paraphernalia: The Curious Lives of Magical Things

Required fields are marked with *

Review Title*
Review
    Add Photo Add up to 6 photos
    Would you recommend this product to a friend?
    Tag this Book Read more
    Does your review contain spoilers?
    What type of reader best describes you?
    I agree to the terms & conditions
    You may receive emails regarding this submission. Any emails will include the ability to opt-out of future communications.

    CUSTOMER RATINGS AND REVIEWS AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TERMS OF USE

    These Terms of Use govern your conduct associated with the Customer Ratings and Reviews and/or Questions and Answers service offered by Bookswagon (the "CRR Service").


    By submitting any content to Bookswagon, you guarantee that:
    • You are the sole author and owner of the intellectual property rights in the content;
    • All "moral rights" that you may have in such content have been voluntarily waived by you;
    • All content that you post is accurate;
    • You are at least 13 years old;
    • Use of the content you supply does not violate these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity.
    You further agree that you may not submit any content:
    • That is known by you to be false, inaccurate or misleading;
    • That infringes any third party's copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary rights or rights of publicity or privacy;
    • That violates any law, statute, ordinance or regulation (including, but not limited to, those governing, consumer protection, unfair competition, anti-discrimination or false advertising);
    • That is, or may reasonably be considered to be, defamatory, libelous, hateful, racially or religiously biased or offensive, unlawfully threatening or unlawfully harassing to any individual, partnership or corporation;
    • For which you were compensated or granted any consideration by any unapproved third party;
    • That includes any information that references other websites, addresses, email addresses, contact information or phone numbers;
    • That contains any computer viruses, worms or other potentially damaging computer programs or files.
    You agree to indemnify and hold Bookswagon (and its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, employees and third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.), harmless from all claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of a breach of your representations and warranties set forth above, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.


    For any content that you submit, you grant Bookswagon a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable right and license to use, copy, modify, delete in its entirety, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from and/or sell, transfer, and/or distribute such content and/or incorporate such content into any form, medium or technology throughout the world without compensation to you. Additionally,  Bookswagon may transfer or share any personal information that you submit with its third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc. in accordance with  Privacy Policy


    All content that you submit may be used at Bookswagon's sole discretion. Bookswagon reserves the right to change, condense, withhold publication, remove or delete any content on Bookswagon's website that Bookswagon deems, in its sole discretion, to violate the content guidelines or any other provision of these Terms of Use.  Bookswagon does not guarantee that you will have any recourse through Bookswagon to edit or delete any content you have submitted. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days. However, Bookswagon reserves the right to remove or to refuse to post any submission to the extent authorized by law. You acknowledge that you, not Bookswagon, are responsible for the contents of your submission. None of the content that you submit shall be subject to any obligation of confidence on the part of Bookswagon, its agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners or third party service providers (including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.)and their respective directors, officers and employees.

    Accept

    Fresh on the Shelf


    Inspired by your browsing history


    Your review has been submitted!

    You've already reviewed this product!