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The Book of Nonexistent Words
by Stefano Massini
- New
- Paperback
- Condition
- New
- ISBN 10
- 006300478X
- ISBN 13
- 9780063004788
- Seller
-
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
HarperVia Publishing, 2021. Paperback. New. A clean crisp well preserved 2021 HarperVia Books imprint of HarperCollins Publishing softcover in a fine tight binding. Little to no shelf wear. Text is bright and free of marks or underlining. Fast shipping in a secure book box mailer with tracking. How many times have words not been enough?
How many complex feelings don't have a corresponding noun that properly describes them?
How many times has language left us like an archer without arrows in the labyrinth of our emotions?
Award-winning author Stefano Massini, a master of expression,, made a discovery that shot new life into his writing practice. To his surprise he found that the ancient rules of language were not quite as restrictive as he had long envisioned them to be. With so many emotions and states of mind missing modern descriptors and definitions, Massini stumbled across a simple but artistry-altering idea. Instead of compromising honest expression through perfunctory verbiage, he decided language was, if anything, a flowing palette of colors he could use to paint all things. Words are meant to be invented.
To reconfirm his belief in the magic of words, Massini returned to the wondrous mechanism that has fed dictionaries from time immemorial. If he could not find the precise word he wanted, he created one. In this delightful compendium, he introduces his personal vocabulary; every chapter mentions a new word that comes from a story about a real person, from Louis XIV to an American gangster.
The Book of Nonexistent Words is a beautifully illustrated collection of linguistic origin stories wrought from the mind of an internationally renowned storytelling icon. Massini effectively liberates our human capacity for using language creatively and shows how we can embrace storytelling to fine tune our way of being in the world. Massini encourages us to be imaginative; if the language in the dictionary cannot adequately match the reality of the here and now, we must create new words that ring true.
Translated from the Italian by Richard Dixon.
How many complex feelings don't have a corresponding noun that properly describes them?
How many times has language left us like an archer without arrows in the labyrinth of our emotions?
Award-winning author Stefano Massini, a master of expression,, made a discovery that shot new life into his writing practice. To his surprise he found that the ancient rules of language were not quite as restrictive as he had long envisioned them to be. With so many emotions and states of mind missing modern descriptors and definitions, Massini stumbled across a simple but artistry-altering idea. Instead of compromising honest expression through perfunctory verbiage, he decided language was, if anything, a flowing palette of colors he could use to paint all things. Words are meant to be invented.
To reconfirm his belief in the magic of words, Massini returned to the wondrous mechanism that has fed dictionaries from time immemorial. If he could not find the precise word he wanted, he created one. In this delightful compendium, he introduces his personal vocabulary; every chapter mentions a new word that comes from a story about a real person, from Louis XIV to an American gangster.
The Book of Nonexistent Words is a beautifully illustrated collection of linguistic origin stories wrought from the mind of an internationally renowned storytelling icon. Massini effectively liberates our human capacity for using language creatively and shows how we can embrace storytelling to fine tune our way of being in the world. Massini encourages us to be imaginative; if the language in the dictionary cannot adequately match the reality of the here and now, we must create new words that ring true.
Translated from the Italian by Richard Dixon.
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Details
- Bookseller
- The Anthropologists Closet
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 878
- Title
- The Book of Nonexistent Words
- Author
- Stefano Massini
- Format/Binding
- Paperback
- Book Condition
- New
- Quantity Available
- 1
- ISBN 10
- 006300478X
- ISBN 13
- 9780063004788
- Publisher
- HarperVia Publishing
- Date Published
- 2021
- Keywords
- Words, Language, Writing, Essays, Vocabulary, Linguistics, Storytelling,
Terms of Sale
The Anthropologists Closet
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About the Seller
The Anthropologists Closet
Biblio member since 2022
Des Moines, Iowa
About The Anthropologists Closet
The Anthropologists Closet is a small mother-daughter-owned online bookstore. We offer a wide range of academic non-fiction books, a large collection of art catalogs, signed books, and an extensive history and military collection. We uphold high ethical standards and are dedicated to ensuring that our listings are accurate and that our customers are satisfied. Our books are packaged with care in a secure book box mailer with tracking. We offer full refunds and free return shipping. Satisfaction guaranteed!
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