The master essayist-doctor celebrates the tools of his literary trade—in this delightful etymological exploration of the English language. "In our backyard is a horse-chestnut tree the size of a church," Thomas begins. Two hundred years old, 120 feet high, this creation of nature can't help but evoke feelings of reverence and admiration. Imagine, suggests Thomas, asking a small child to invent a word for the tree. The word would most likely embody the emotion it inspires. Later the same word would be used to evoke similar emotions, and would be pummeled into varying shapes to represent related qualities and conditions such as vigorousness, youth, and eternity. Thomas' sheer pleasure in such a notion proves contagious as he flips through his well-thumbed American Heritage Dictionary and etymology books to find ancient links between "self" and "secure," "gorgeous" and "gargoyle," "repent" and "in a hurry," etc. More than a mere historical science, etymology is, in Thomas' admittedly unscholarly view, an enchanting window into the long-buried meanings still subtly at work inside modern words—meanings that add resonance and subtext to every conversation. In pursuit of poetic undercurrents, the author doesn't hesitate to depart from traditional Indo-European genealogies to speculate on, for example, the notion of a youngster inventing language by gazing at his twin miniature reflections in his mother's eyes and naming the dark mirrors "pupils"—small children. Such charming images are the mark of an infectious enthusiasm, and will surely tempt others to succumb.
Pub Date: Oct. 23, 1990
ISBN: 1566491665
Page Count: 197
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1990
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
