Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/exlibris/1993/10/msg00143.html

Uncut books from earlier centuries are becoming so scarce as to be
unfindable.
----->
Can you find uncut books in bookstores right now in the western countries? I have never seen such books in my life. Do you have to cut the pages with a knife if you want to continue to read?

Thank you in advance.

[asterix]

An uncut book is one in which the pages have to be cut to separate them for reading.
I believe such books are rare and of interest mainly to collectors.

[CP]

In "The Great Gatsby," one person remarks that Gatsby at least has the good sense not to cut the pages.

Gatsby knows how far to go. He has a huge library of wonderful books, but the pages aren't cut. It's one thing to show off by buying the right books. It would be in poor taste to cut the pages, as though you intended to read the books, when everyone knows you never will read them. You're Gatsby, after all, not an intellectual. You throw great parties, and that's enough.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[learner12]

Dear asterix & CP:

Thank you so much for your great explanations.

Take care and have a nice day!!