ABSTRACT
What makes a good book? It is a question that has been asked by writers and readers of all kinds and of all levels. Too often the answer given must be recognized as personal opinion. Too seldom have those who have tried to answer the question been able to distill from personal opinion, or even from reading experience, those abstract elements that characterize what can be called a good book. Seldom enough have even critics, blessed with real authority, stretched their minds beyond personal reactions and prejudices to evaluate a book and place it in its proper relationship with others on the long ranges of a library’s shelves. There must be, however, some abstract elements which are recognizable and useful in determining just what makes a book a good book.
