Look Closer

How to Get More Out of Reading

A TIMES and SPECTATOR Book of the Year

'A love letter to the energising thrill of literature' SUNDAY TIMES

'A lively book that seeks to enthuse us to read more deeply, more thoughtfully' THE TIMES

'The best book about reading I have read for a very long time' STEPHEN FRY

A joyful and enlightening masterclass in how reading attentively can change our lives

For thirty years, Robert Douglas-Fairhurst has shared his passion for reading with students. In Look Closer, he brings fresh life to beloved books, from Wuthering Heights to Normal People, alongside poetry, plays and more.

With warmth, wit and clarity, he shows us how to slow down, notice more and enjoy reading on a deeper level. Engaging, illuminating and full of delight, this is a celebration of the simple pleasure of books – and a reminder of how reading can open doors, spark joy and transform the way we see the world.

'A glittering gem of a book' NATALIE HAYNES

'Look Closer is akin to wandering through an art gallery with an expert on painterly detail by your side' FINANCIAL TIMES

'A delightful and much-needed paean, in our attention-deficit era, to the pleasures of close and slow reading' SPECTATOR

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK as soon as stock is available.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-7 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 30 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.