Finally!

Finally, I have my copy of Prince of Networks. Unfortunately, I won’t have time to read it until after the England trip, most likely.

Normally I am interested to read my books quickly when they first appear, partly out of excitement, partly to try to record all the typos (they always exist) for future reference.

After that, I find that I am unable to read the book again for many years afterward. It always makes me cringe.

Riding in the taxi back from dinner tonight with two book authors, and both agreed with me. One of them said she hasn’t even read her last book once, and will ask a graduate student to check for the typos.

I wonder how common that experience is. Roland Barthes had the same issue with his own books, though at one point a few years before his death he went back to read them all and found the experience delightful.