Dictionary Stories: Short Fictions and Other Findings

(Paperback)

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"Dictionary Stories isnt just a book for word nerds, but for anyone for whom language and story matter. Everybody will find themselves thoroughly in love with this book." Kory Stamper, editor for Merriam-Webster, and author of Word by Word

Everyone has looked up a word in the dictionary. Some of us have even asked for it to be used in a sentence during our 2nd grade spelling bee. But few of us have ever really considered those example sentences: where they come from, how theyre generated...and why in heavens name they are so darn weird.

Jez Burrows opened the New Oxford American Dictionary and sat, mystified. Instead of the definition of "study" he was looking for, he found himself drawn to the strangely conspicuous, curiously melodramatic sentence that followed it: "He perched on the edge of the bed, a study in confusion and misery." It read like a tiny piece of fiction on the lam and hiding out in the dictionaryand it wasnt alone. Was it possible to reunite these fugitive fictions To combine and remix example sentences to form new works With this spark and a handful of stories shared online, Dictionary Stories was born.

This genre-bending and wildly inventive collection glows with humor, emotion, and intellect. Effortlessly transcending sentence level, Burrows lights between the profound and the absurd, transporting readers into moments, worlds, and experiences of remarkable variety. Featuring original illustrations by the author, Dictionary Stories is a giddy celebration of the beauty and flexibility of language.

Reviews

A revelation in remix; a book of joyous recombinations. Robin Sloan, New York Times bestselling author ofMr. Penumbras 24-Hour Bookstore Dictionary Stories isnt just a book for word nerds, but for anyone for whom language and story matter. Everybody, A-Z, will find themselves thoroughly in love with this book. Kory Stamper, lexicographer and editor for Merriam-Webster, and author of Word by Word Jez has long been one of my favorite illustrators, and now he comes up with Dictionary Storiessentences stolen from dictionaries and pasted together into tiny, delightful narratives. A brilliant literary remix. Austin Kleon, New York Times bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist Until you read Dictionary Stories, youll never understand just how weird the dictionary really is. Jez Burrows Dictionary Stories is all of human emotion and experience, handily arranged in alphabetical order Erin McKean, former editor of the New Oxford American Dictionary and founder of Wordnik Brilliantly, brazenly fun. Like a cabaret for word lovers. Sean Michaels, author of Giller Prize-winning novel Us Conductors Burrows has a talent for a delightfully askew existentialism The stories are wickedly short but exquisitely rendered, accompanied by whimsical, minimalist illustrations by the author. A fabulist remix of the English language and a tribute to clever lexicographers everywhere. Kirkus Reviews [An] entirely original collection With a deft eye for depth and irony, Burrows plucks seemingly inane phrasesand arranges them into haunting, hilarious, and human minidramas. Booklist Uproarious and ingenious What sounds like mere novelty turns out to be a revelation in Burrowss hands, as unlikely sentences generate even more unlikely narratives. Dictionary Stories is a joyful celebration of idiosyncrasy and invention. Publishers Weekly (starred review) Chaotically engaging...exemplary...majestic. KQED Aserendipitous reading experience...Burrows challenges our ideas of the writing process and unpacks our understanding of what is literary. Ploughshares Theyre absolutely addicting, and that is the highest praise I can bestow on this workit is one task to bring good stories to people. It is another to bring a new game, a new form, a new diversion of the field. Burrows burrows are just that, and if you, or your friends, are the sort who love words and playing with them, you should seek out a copy of this fine new book. The Seattle Review of Books Dictionary Stories isa giddy celebration of the wild, elastic potential of language. McSweenys The most original book to be published in quite some time. San Jose Mercury News An ingenious addition to literary exploration. San Francisco Chronicle A brilliant, inventive book. Psych Central Youll find everything from two-sentence short stories to a list of bands you probably havent heard of. Weve never read anything quite like it. HelloGiggles

Author Bio

Jez Burrows is a designer, illustrator, and writer originally from the UK, now living in the Bay Area. After studying graphic design at the University of Brighton, he spent three years running his own studio, designing books, identities, posters, maps, and playing cards; creating illustrations for clients including The New York Times, Nike, WNYC, Monocle, WIRED and Cards Against Humanity. He spent 5 years as a designer at Facebook, and is the genius behind tumblr phenomenon "Dictionary Stories." http://jezburrows.com/ - www.dictionarystories.com - http://dictionarystory.tumblr.com/