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Monday, September 17, 2007

Poems and Problems

Posted by John Holbo on 09/17/07 at 03:06 AM

A couple years ago I checked out a copy of Nabokov’s Poems and Problems from my library. Now, the library apparently no longer has a copy. Apparently it went missing. Of course it is also out of print and rather expensive to acquire. This is a problem.

I would also like to consult a copy of Artifacts, Art Works and Agency, by Randall Dipert (Temple UP, 1993). My library does not have a copy. It is, apparently, out of print and the only used copies available through Amazon/Biblio are overpriced. This is a problem.

Comments

$168.99 is overpriced? $93.99 is expensive?

The Lake Wobegon library has both books. Neener neener.

By John Emerson on 09/17/07 at 08:29 AM | Permanent link to this comment

Bah.

By John Holbo on 09/17/07 at 11:14 AM | Permanent link to this comment

At least this is a problem that publishers have taken an interest in as well. Soon (but perhaps not soon enough) you’ll be able to order a copy print on demand.

By on 09/17/07 at 11:45 AM | Permanent link to this comment

Use the availability and expense of titles as a reckoner of worth and proceed accordingly. Ditch the expensive and difficult to come by Nabokov in favour of the ubiquitous, dime-a-dozen likes of Dan Brown.

Only books that are surplus to requirements go out of print. As Dawkins might testify, it’s publishing Darwinism.

By on 09/17/07 at 12:05 PM | Permanent link to this comment

I have the same problem with The German Word-Family Dictionary. I feel that having this resource would finally allow me to learn to read German comfortably—simply having it, not even necessarily opening it.

By Adam Kotsko on 09/17/07 at 05:27 PM | Permanent link to this comment

I can lend you my copy if you promise to return it.

By on 09/17/07 at 06:52 PM | Permanent link to this comment

You are too kind, Gregory. I think I’ll manage somehow.

By John Holbo on 09/18/07 at 05:45 AM | Permanent link to this comment

Gregory, you have to ask Narnians three times before they accept an offer. “I think I’ll manage somehow” is a cry for help.

By John Emerson on 09/18/07 at 08:23 AM | Permanent link to this comment

John Holbo is a Narnian? I thought he was a Norn.

Anyway, the offer stands.(I know well the intense frustration of not being able to lay ready hands on a research text.)

By on 09/19/07 at 06:25 AM | Permanent link to this comment

Actually I’m a narf. That is, I live at the bottom of some apartment complex swimming pool. Your book would probably get wet.

Are you quite serious, though? You are offering the Nabokov? You would ship it to me and I would consult and ship it back (kindly reimbursing you for your shipping costs?) Hmmmm. Perhaps that’s not as crazy as it sounds. Lemme think about it for a second here.

By John Holbo on 09/19/07 at 06:34 AM | Permanent link to this comment

The library I work at also has it, so it’s conceivable that something could be worked out.

By on 09/19/07 at 02:05 PM | Permanent link to this comment

Oh, and we also have the Dipert book.

By on 09/19/07 at 02:09 PM | Permanent link to this comment

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Monday, September 17, 2007

Poems and Problems

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