Getting Edgy

John Updike's dismay at Kevin Kelly's article on digital publishing has been widely reported. Now that the author's Terrorist is ensconced on the New York Times bestseller lists (his 15th to put in an appearance here) he writes a more comprehensive piece on his feelings, singing the praises of independent bookstores, among other things:

"Books traditionally have edges: some are rough-cut, some are smooth-cut, and a few, at least at my extravagant publishing house, are even top-stained. In the electronic anthill, where are the edges? The book revolution, which, from the Renaissance on, taught men and women to cherish and cultivate their individuality, threatens to end in a sparkling cloud of snippets.

"So, booksellers, defend your lonely forts. Keep your edges dry. Your edges are our edges. For some of us, books are intrinsic to our sense of personal identity."

Hear, hear.