Literary Taste: How to Form It With Detailed Instructions for Collecting a Complete Library of English Literature

A short and sweet commentary on how to develop yourself as a literary reader, Arnold Bennett's 1909 book Literary Taste manages quite a feat: it makes the case for high-brow attainment and literary standards without being condescending or snobby, and remains thoroughly amiable and approachable throughout.

It is, of course, outdated – not only in some of its selections (Bennett advocates heavily for the writings of the long-eclipsed Charles Lamb) but in its determination to provide a practical guide for contemporary readers, including a catalogue of various titles and editions and their retail price (in shillings and d, no less). But alongside this, Bennett outlines his persuasive impressions and perspectives on how to approach show more literature, and the only point I could dispute with him is his argument that "if you differ with a classic, it is you who are wrong" (pg. 50), because there are some classics which survive through mere complacency. It is, nevertheless, a good rule of thumb, and the book as a whole is astute in its observations. It also provides as good a description of what constitutes 'taste' in a reading man as can be asked for:

"They find a keen and lasting pleasure in literature. They enjoy literature as some men enjoy beer. The recurrence of this pleasure naturally keeps their interest in literature very much alive. They are for ever making new researches, for ever practising on themselves. They learn to understand themselves. They learn to know what they want. Their taste becomes surer and surer as their experience lengthens. They do not enjoy to-day what will seem tedious to them to-morrow. When they find a book tedious, no amount of popular clatter will persuade them that it is pleasurable; and when they find it pleasurable no chill silence of the street-crowds will affect their conviction that the book is good and permanent. They have faith in themselves." (pp37-8)

Developing individual taste in literature is not to merely divert yourself for an hour or two in a book, Bennett explains; "it is not to affect one hour, but twenty-four" (pg. 20) and it is something that, once developed, has far greater benefits for your perspective beyond which books you choose to read. "In short, look at literature as you would look at life" (pg. 77), and with application you find you have not only improved your literary taste but your perspective on your life. Bennett's book is a quietly impactful commentary with some good turns of phrase and a pleasant worldview, and despite its age remains a decent primer for those who might wish to begin thinking seriously about literature. For a catalogue price of 6 d in its 1938 edition, you can't go wrong. show less

Literary taste is no small thing for Arnold Bennett. It is, in brief, the capacity to experience the miraculous: the capacity to do no less than live. For those who look upon literature as a duty or as an attainment attendant upon being a cultured person, he has some little pity, but also much contempt. And yet, as he acknowledges in his first chapter, such people likely comprise the majority of the readership of this volume. How he is able to express these sentiments while retaining the interest and sympathy of his reader is a feat not unworthy of Chaucer's Pardoner.

Beautifully written, although sometimes the author holds somewhat arrogant notions regarding literature and the people who enjoy reading it. This is a good read if you want to feel a cultivated, erudite person. Also very suitable for people who want to impress their high school teachers. Made me laugh out loud a few times as well; read the first part of the chapter on poetry if you want to know what I mean.

I spotted this short little book on the shelves at our library and thought it would be an interesting read. There is no copyright date, but the type of paper used and the typeface hint that it was probably published between 1900 and 1920. I did find a 1909 bibliographic record for this work, so it's probably in the earlier part of the period. It was an interesting perspective to say the least. I loved some of the author's advice. He's given me the perfect excuse to go on a book-buying spree. On page 20, he advises his readers to "buy." He says, "Buy without any immediate reference to what you will read. Buy! Surround yourself with volumes, as handsome as you can afford." Later in the book he tells them (on page 88) to "Buy a library. It show more is obvious that you cannot read unless you have books . . . The moment has now come to inform you plainly that a bookman is, amongst other things, a man who possesses many books. A man who does not possess many books is not a bookman." The author does caution the reader against reading too much of the same kind of stuff. He encourages the reader to read short stories, essays, and poetry in addition to longer fictional works. He encourages the reader to read materials from all periods of literature, beginning with Chaucer and extending to the recently deceased. He does not have time to read contemporary literature, preferring to read what is tried and true. He gives a bibliography of 226 authors and 335 volumes which everyone should own. All of these can be had for the low price of $131.40 (12 cents per day for 3 years)! (If that were only true for us today!) I wonder what the author would think of Kindles and Nooks? While this book is extremely dated, it was an entertaining read. show less

Bennett's writing is excellant, but the book is dated inasmuch as today's education, excuse me, "education" attempts are concerned. He uses Charles Lamb as a beginner or primer author to read. Today it would probably be J R. Rowling and Harry Potter. The sanguine tedium that constitutes the 18th and early 19th century just isn't read anymore. I keep it in my library as a treasure of book-making more than the content.