The madman's library : the strangest books, manuscripts and other literary curiosities from history

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"The Madman's Library: The Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other Literary Curiosities from History" by Edward Brooke-Hitching explores a variety of themes and topics related to unusual and bizarre books throughout history. Identifying these can help you connect the book to other relevant holdings in a library.

Possible themes to consider:
- **The unusual and bizarre in literature**: The book focuses on strange, unconventional, and often disturbing literary works. 【1】【2】
- **History of books and manuscripts**: It delves into the historical context of these unusual books, exploring their origins and the stories behind their creation. 【3】
- **Human creativity and imagination**: The book showcases the boundless creativity and imagination of authors and the unique ways they have expressed themselves through literature. 【1】【2】
- **The nature of knowledge and its boundaries**: By presenting unconventional and sometimes heretical works, the book implicitly questions the accepted norms of knowledge.
- **Art, history, and literature**: The book explores the intersection of these fields through unique books.

Topics covered in the book:
- **Literary curiosities**: The book explores obscure and strange books, manuscripts, and other literary oddities. 【3】
- **Unconventional bookbinding and materials**: Some books are bound in unusual materials, reflecting societal norms and traditions. 【1】
- **Lost or suppressed texts**: The book may touch on the theme of lost, hidden, or deliberately suppressed books and the reasons behind their obscurity.
- **The intersection of madness and creativity**: The title suggests an exploration of the connection between unconventional thinking, mental illness, and creative expression in literature. 【4】

These themes and topics can be used to draw connections to other books in a library by grouping books with similar themes, creating displays, or suggesting related readings.