E-books in Spanish: a global object in circulation

Abstract

In this chapter I will focus my analysis on the circulation of literature in a digital format, thinking about literature, however, as information, and e-books as global objects in circulation. I will examine whether the changes in the distribution, circulation and consumption of digital books also alter ways of reading and the production of literary imaginaries and narratives, both local and global. The aim is to discover how local processes co-exist and dialogue with a global device that is changing the way literary texts are distributed and accessed, and in what way not only their uses – learned at the heart of a community - are modified, but also even the communities in question themselves. Networked readings and readers. The first issue presents itself right at the beginning of this journey: why talk about e-books and not digital reading? In other words, why not analyse the circulation, distribution or redistribution of ideas via digital reading in general? Why restrict and limit this analysis to such a specific tool or format as e-books?Resumen del libro obtenido de la página editorial: An important question concerning literary studies is the circulation of literary works beyond their place of origin. Many other aspects must also be taken into consideration, such as the asymmetric positioning of authors and their work in international circulation, which is conditioned by the relative position of languages and cultures in the global market. This volume focuses on literary and cultural circulation and includes essays that explore this topic through case studies, analysing works and authors from diverse literatures and cultures, and discussions of the theoretical issues surrounding circulation and all that it entails: temporality, place, method, material objects and concepts.