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Dona asked this question about The Dictionary of Lost Words:
Why did I waste 8 hours of reading just to be hit with very obscene language? Beautiful cover, great story idea completely wasted. I could be reading many authors who do not rely on this shock factor to sell their books. Please could someone have a rating system to let readers know what to expect? I would be so grateful.
Paul Spice Personally, I think this statement, and the answers provided highlight the ****ing elephant in the room here, and there is me doing it.
In my case tha…morePersonally, I think this statement, and the answers provided highlight the ****ing elephant in the room here, and there is me doing it.
In my case that really was just for the sake of it but in Williams's case , not at all. The use of profanity in general is an enigma. It is more and more common in use yet is still offensive and is still vulgar. The particular elephant in question is particularly vulgar, and often nasty. Why is it so often only that? Corrupted and abusive? And why almost that alone? Molly and Mollys like her would have used it in this context yet Tilda doesn't. As Mellors doesn't in reference to Lady Chatterly.
Esme's unprejudiced thirst for lost words rightly recognises their use and need for inclusion. All potentially lost words and definition.
This tale is carefully and loving managed. Warm and beautifully drawn. A showing and telling of contemporary people, social mores and attitudes to words and to life and people itself. A modern day masterpeice. A must, must read and a treasure. (less)
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The Dictionary of Lost Words
by Pip Williams
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