Reading, Fast and Slow

Abstract Reading literature is often contrasted to the use of digital media in terms speed. While readers engage slowly with a book, they rush through environments at an ever faster pace. This article argues against simple binary between slow/literary and fast/digital. fact not native public debate about age but can be traced back from revolution modernist attitudes on literature, as emerge Viktor Shklovsky Walter Benjamin. Drawing results reading speed science current narrative theory, this devises alternative argument for literary process that unfolds over multiple time scales linked different layers meaning making. perspective, exclusively slow but, rather, works combination both fast processes. The develops its example Alexander Pushkin's classic novella “The Queen Spades” then applies new theoretical account multispeed two novels engaging explicitly revolution.