Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Levithan explores a couple's relationship in dictionary entries.
And the thing I hate the most is knowing how much hinges on my reaction, how your unburdening can only lead to me being burdened.
p.60 under composure, n.
This is pure poetry.  So simple and sweet and a little heart-breaking, all in short dictionary like entries.  Not an entire relationship but a snapshot, an idea of one until one pivotal moment.  I really truly love it.  I am going to have to buy this book, just to mark my favorite parts that spoke to my heart.  There is something about watching a love begin and then start to fall apart that most people can identify with.  And while this is not poetry, it is poetic.  And though the entries are mostly very short, it encompasses a couple's beginning and middle, but leaves off open-ended.  I think that it is wonderful how Levithan managed to do that.  How he managed to write a beautiful story in dictionary form is really amazing.  I really cannot say enough good things about this book.

Hogwarts: Muggle Studies
GLBT

6 comments:

  1. This one sounds so so good! I'm saving it for when I'm in the mood for YA again because I don't want my lack of enthusiasm to ruin the book for me, you know?

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  2. @Amanda - I can understand that. It's not YA though if that helps.

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  3. I read this one so quickly and thought it was magnificent. Like you said, it is very poetic, while not exactly poetry. Levithan is a god of words and this book showcases that.

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  4. I haven't read this one, but it does sound really good. I'll have to pick up a copy!

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  5. I really want to read this one. It sounds amazing. I really love books that are set up in a non-traditional way.

    -Let's Get Beyond Tolerance

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  6. Sounds excellent! I need to add this one to my TBR list. Thanks for the review -

    Sue

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