What is the source of a books perceived greatness and why do certain books become part of the accepted canon This book presents a fresh perspective on these questions against prevalent approaches it explains a works reputation in terms of its aesthetic qualities the beauty view or as the result of dictates by social hegemonies the power view. Fishelov argues that the number and variety of echoes and dialogues a book generates with readers authors translators adapters artists and critics is the most important source of its perceived greatness. Part I What is a Dialogue What is a Great Book provides useful distinctions between different kinds of dialogue genuine dialogue dialogueofthedeaf and echodialogue develops theoretical arguments why the dialogic approach is not circular and empirically tests intriguing cases why has Candide and not Rasselas won the literary race for fame.