The Afterlives of Shakespeare and Company in Online Social Readership (2401.07340v1)

Abstract: The growth of social reading platforms such as Goodreads and LibraryThing enables us to analyze reading activity at very large scale and in remarkable detail. But twenty-first century systems give us a perspective only on contemporary readers. Meanwhile, the digitization of the lending library records of Shakespeare and Company provides a window into the reading activity of an earlier, smaller community in interwar Paris. In this article, we explore the extent to which we can make comparisons between the Shakespeare and Company and Goodreads communities. By quantifying similarities and differences, we can identify patterns in how works have risen or fallen in popularity across these datasets. We can also measure differences in how works are received by measuring similarities and differences in co-reading patterns. Finally, by examining the complete networks of co-readership, we can observe changes in the overall structures of literary reception.

• The paper shows that 20% of the most borrowed Shakespeare and Company books remain popular on Goodreads, underscoring an enduring literary appeal.
• It employs a comparative analysis of 4,460 matched books from historical SC records and current Goodreads reviews to trace shifts in literary reception.
• The research uncovers influential co-reading patterns, highlighting how prolific SC readers help shape the network of literary associations.

Introduction

A paper explores the fascinating intersection between historical and modern reading communities, specifically focusing on the literary landscape shaped by the iconic Shakespeare and Company (SC) bookstore of interwar Paris and the expansive modern-day Goodreads platform. The analysis captures insights into the evolution of literary reception and the enduring or changing popularity of books across almost a century.

Data Sources and Methodology

The researchers draw from a rich trove of data. The SC dataset reveals borrowing habits from an influential English-language bookshop and lending library from 1919 to 1941. In contrast, Goodreads provides a massive pool of current readers' behaviors, including reviews, ratings, and book lists. To facilitate comparison, the team identifies matches for 4,460 SC books in the Goodreads database, providing a basis to examine shifts in literary popularity and cultural reception.

Popularity Across Time

A key finding of the paper is that 20% of the most borrowed books from SC retain their popularity on Goodreads today, suggesting a remarkable stability in certain literary tastes across the decades. Conversely, some contemporary works that were favored in the past, like those by Dorothy Richardson, have witnessed a significant drop in popularity, primarily being confined to scholarly interest in the present day.

Reception and Reading Patterns

The research goes on to analyze co-reading patterns, discovering that many of the books maintaining popularity also exhibit similar associations with other works across both datasets. This pattern implies consistency in the literary contexts within which these works are received. However, in examining the overall network structures, the paper interestingly highlights the reading activities of two prolific SC readers, whose preferences and behaviors seem to significantly influence the network's landscape.

Conclusion

The paper elegantly threads the needle through a timeline of literary reception, revealing dynamics of constancy and change in the web of readership across generations. This comparative analysis not only enriches understanding of literary canon formation but also exemplifies the role of digital methods in uncovering patterns of cultural engagement that might otherwise remain opaque.