James Marriott, a 33-year-old columnist for The Times, has released a new book examining the profound role reading has played in shaping human civilization and warning of the dangers posed by declining literacy rates. His work, titled *The New Dark Ages: The End of Reading and the Dawn of a Post-Literate Society*, explores how reading has influenced our society and cautions against the consequences if reading continues to diminish.
Marriott’s lifelong engagement with books began in childhood amid a family environment he describes as a "cult of books." Raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, his father was an English teacher whose enthusiasm for literature extended to celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday and recreating dishes from Victorian novels. This eccentric upbringing instilled in Marriott an early and deep appreciation for reading, even as it set him apart socially during his youth.
Reflecting on his formative years, Marriott recalls how books provided refuge and structure during his parents’ difficult divorce. While his childhood reading was prolific and undirected, adolescence brought a period of struggle with increasingly complex texts. His breakthrough came through access to the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, a historic library whose vast collections opened new intellectual and imaginative horizons for him.
Marriott situates reading as a cornerstone of modern civilization, linking literacy to momentous cultural and political developments such as the Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution, and modern democracy. He expresses concern that a decline in reading—only intensified by the rise of digital distractions and changing entertainment habits—could usher in a "post-literate" era reminiscent of pre-literate times, characterized by reduced critical thinking and civic engagement.
Recent data supports Marriott’s concerns: reports show a significant drop in reading habits among both children and adults in the UK and other developed countries. Over one-third of adults in the UK report no longer reading for pleasure, while worldwide literacy rates, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, are stagnating or declining.
Marriott acknowledges the challenge of discussing the virtues of reading without sounding patronizing but stresses the serious implications of its decline for society. His book combines cultural critique with a personal memoir, detailing how books have profoundly shaped his life and career. From his early days reading works by Agatha Christie and Bill Bryson to his current role as a writer and editor, Marriott emphasizes that his identity remains firmly rooted in being a reader.
*The New Dark Ages* is scheduled for publication on September 3. Marriott will discuss the book alongside Calum Macdonald at an event in Edinburgh on September 9.