Enchanting. Mysterious. Riveting. Book blurbs have been a mainstay in publishing, designed to persuade readers to pick up a book. But now, some authors and publishers are opting to forgo them.

As a reader, though, an interesting blurb can be as effective as a striking book cover, especially when you’re browsing in a bookstore, trying to decide between several tempting choices.

Vance wrote an “editorial review,” commonly known as a blurb, praising the book. It’s a small but ... plans and show us what ...