What do you Read? by Boyd Ellanby
This work is a philosophical exploration of reading and its effects on individuals. It delves into the concept of "reading" as an act that transcends mere comprehension of text, instead becoming a transformative experience that shapes one's perception of reality. The narrative follows a protagonist who embarks on a journey to understand the nature of reading, encountering various characters and situations along the way. Through their experiences, the work examines the relationship between reader and text, highlighting the ways in which reading can be both empowering and disorienting. Ultimately, the work presents a nuanced view of reading as a complex and multifaceted activity that challenges traditional notions of knowledge and understanding.
By Boyd Ellanby · First published 1963 · Genre: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Anthology · 5,669 words
First lines
Writers have long dreamed of a plot machine, but the machines in Script-Lab did much more than plot the story -- they wrote it. Why bother with human writers when the machines did the job so much faster and better?
Herbert would have preferred the seclusion of a coptor-taxi, but he knew he could not afford it. The Bureau paid its writers adequately, but not enough to make them comfortable in taxis. In front of his apartment house, he took the escalator to the Airway. It must have been pleasant, he thought as he stepped onto the moving sidewalk, to be a writer in the days when they were permitted to receive royalties and, presumably, to afford taxi fare.
What this Textopian page supports
What do you Read? is listed on Textopian as a short story by Boyd Ellanby, dated 1963 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Boyd Ellanby
- Date: 1963 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Anthology, Fantasy
- Length: 5,669 words
- Structure: 1 section, 146 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for What do you Read? by Boyd Ellanby
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering What do you Read??
- How does this short story by Boyd Ellanby fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Conlon by Arthur Willis Colton
- Anniversary by Isaac Asimov
- Truth And The Traveller by Ambrose Bierce
- The Workman by Lord Dunsany
- One Of Aesops Fables by James Baldwin
- Graves And Goblins by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Genres
- Short Stories — The book is a collection of various short stories.
- Science Fiction — Many of the short stories involve futuristic concepts and themes, common in science fiction.
- Anthology — An anthology is a collection of short stories, which is exactly what 'What do you Read?' is.
- Fantasy — Several stories touch on fantastical elements and realities that diverge from our own, characteristics of the fantasy genre.
Tags
Fiction · Literary Fiction · Book Club Pick · Reading List · Book Recommendations · Classic Literature · Modern Classic · Contemporary Fiction · Adult Fiction · Must-Read · Page-Turner · Thought-Provoking