Literature and editing in the light of the sociology of texts, by D. F. McKenzie

Abstract

This article seeks to promote an articulation between the fields of literary and editorial studies based on the contributions of the notable New Zealander bibliographer D. F. McKenzie, who, when conceiving the notion of sociology of texts, founds an important understanding of the capital influence that the material, historical and social aspects of the text have in their semantic conformation and transmission over time and space. Thereafter, we seek to demonstrate the relevance of the editorial work – which is part of this sociological chain – for literary studies spanning four points: first, presenting the bibliographic project of the first Brazilian translation of The Miser, by Molière, which is followed by a critical exposition on McKenzie's theory, a conceptual overview of editing and, finally, a case study on the editorial circumstances surrounding the original publication of the 2666 novel (Barcelona: Anagrama, 2004), by the Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño.