Chapter 3 and Leaning from the Steep Slope Summary

Chapter 3 first explains to the reader that the act of cutting apart pages with a paper knife occupies all senses. However, on turning the page, he finds nothing but blank pages. The author explains the reader has again found a defective book. He looks up the settings in an atlas to find the areas in the book are on a piece of land divided by war. Cimmeria, an independent country, was divided by other nations to the point that it no longer exists. He calls the Other Reader, whose name is Ludmilla, but instead reaches her sister, Lotaria. Lotaria explains she likes to read books that clarify issues and have tone and meaning; whereas, she feels Ludmilla reads only for pleasure. Ludmilla gets on the other line. The two speak of...