‘Magnificently rich’: The Reader reviewed

After its release in the summer, we're still celebrating the landmark 50th issue of The Reader magazine thanks to a review from American review and resource website New Pages. Based in Michigan, New Pages provides news, information and guides to literary magazines, independent publishers and bookstores, alternative newsweeklies and much more, describing itself as the 'Portal of Independents' spanning across the world of arts, publishing and libraries.

Our bumper Issue 50 has been reviewed in their latest round-up of literary magazines (dated November 15th), standing alongside publications such as The Asian American Literary Review and The Gettysburg Review. The issue was praised for its historic pieces of literature and items from the archive alongside new offerings where 'new ideas sparkle under the crystalline canon.' Despite some UK-centric articles needing a little more translation, the rich and varied literary content within crosses the divide, as reviewer Mary Florio states:

The ideas cross the ocean with a stunning virtuosity; it is a prized volume to be read again and again.

Cited as particular highlights are Godfather of The Reader Organisation and co-editor Brian Nellist's essay 'People Don't Read Scott Any More', originally published in the very first issue of The Reader in 1997 and republished in Issue 50 as a gem from The Reader archive, and Dr Rowan Williams' poem Tolstoy at Astapovo, which 'glows on the page with a kind of phosphoric rhythm'. The review finishes with a succinct appreciation of the publication:

Take it sentence by sentence. The journal is magnificently rich and does not “dumb down” literary engagement. And for all the promise of reward, it delivers.

You can read New Pages review of Issue 50 of The Reader in full here.

Issue 52 of The Reader will be arriving shortly, offering an antidote to the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle. Highlights include:

• Poetry from John Burnside, Michael Schmidt, Carol Rumens, Jodie Hollander and Martyn Halsall
• Exciting and striking new fiction from Jennifer O'Hagan and Gregory Heath
• We are treated to Five Helpings of  George Herbert from distinguished guests including John Scrivener and David Constantine
• The late Seamus Heaney is celebrated in two essays by Iona Heath and Carol Rumens
• Iraq War veteran and author of the acclaimed novel The Yellow Birds Kevin Powers is interviewed by Drummond Moir

Discover the reward of great literature for yourself - issue 50 of The Reader can be purchased on our website, alongside issues from the back catalogue. Readers in the UK and abroad can also subscribe to receive a year's worth of copies - four issues over 12 months. The perfect Christmas present for literature enthusiasts - buy your subscription for someone today: http://www.thereader.org.uk/magazine.aspx