“Kivy is to be warmly commended for the originality and insight of his perspective on literature, and for the lively and engaging manner in which that perspective is developed. Philosophers interested in the complexity and significance of our reading experience will welcome this valuable contribution to our understanding of such matters.”  (Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, 14 February 2012)

“Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and above.” (Choice, 1 December 2011)

“With the lucidity and unflinching honesty we have come to expect from him, Kivy defends his distinctive vision of the aesthetics of literature.” – Susan L. Feagin, Temple University

“Peter Kivy’s new book poses a deep, and disconcerting, challenge to conventional wisdom about what literature is and how and why we read novels. Agree with him or disagree, there is no disputing the formidable powers of Kivy’s reasoning, the stylishness of his writing, and the originality of his vision.” – Peter Lamarque, University of York