title: An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life
author:  Michael Dirda 
description: "Dirda inhabits each book he reads. Inhabits it--and makes a space alongside it for us to join him. . . . He is a rare treasure."
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This
  
  
  Man
  
  
  
  
  
  By
  
  
  Jodi Ellen Malpas
  
  
  
  
  
  Copyright
  
  
  © 2012 Jodi Ellen Malpas
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  To Aaron, Thank you for everything,
  
  
  especially for _not_ bashing me around the head with my book, when I know
  
  
  you really wanted to.
  
  
  
  
  
  To
  
  
  Mum and Dad for being proud of me, even though they will never read it.
  
  
  
  
  
  To
  
  
  Alfie for helping me with the cover, even though you _definitely_ will not
  
  
  _ever_ read it. No, son, not even when you’re 21!
  
  
  
  
  
  To
  
  
  Fanny, Flo and Froofy, who have all read it. Girls, with your support, kind
  
  
  words and daily encouragement, I’ve finally made it to publishing stage. Thank
  
  
  you
  
  
  
  
  
  xxx
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  Table of
  
  
  Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  1
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  2
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  3
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  4
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  5
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  6
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  7
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  8
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  9
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  10
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  11
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  12
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  13
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  14
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  15
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter
  
  
  16
  
  
  
  
  
  [Ch