Susanna Janssen  |  Nonfiction

2018, 366 pages

The writing is staccato ... almost like a dictionary itself.   Because it is played in a constant 4/4ths time, I find it hard to recall anything.  I wish she had written about way fewer words and given more context.  Then something might have stuck.  Here is an example. On page 63 she talks about the etymology of tycoon, alligator, arena, dandelion, inaugurate, muscle, and pupil.  Not well-organized nor categorized; too much information; not enough knowledge.

Janssen also tries hard to insert humor into her commentary, and I think she is simply not funny.  Her humor feels forced.  It feels as though it was added in afterwards.

I read 76 pages.  My apologies, Nina, for not falling in love with this book!

Let's see ... what awaits on my shelf now?

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