The Reissue at Hand: Can Genius Be Forgotten?

Nothing is more discouraging to the fledgling writer than a newly-reissued, long out-of-print masterpiece. “Just as relevant today as ever,” says the cover blurb. “An immediate sensation upon its release,” says the foreword. You skim the biographical details. None of it rings a bell. “This book secured its author’s reputation,” you read. “Clearly not,” you think, snidely, as if your own reputation will fare better.