Name: Emma Renfrey's review of The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
Item: The Lover's Dictionary
Rating: 4
Author: Emma Renfrey

David Levithan

autonomy, n. 'I want my books to have their own shelves,' you said, and that's how I knew it would be okay to live together. A nameless couple meet, fall in love, move in together, and then the hard work of loving each begins. Told as a series of dictionary entries, The Lover's Dictionary is an intimate portrait of a relationship in all its guises; a compelling, deeply romantic story of two people loving each other: passionately, imperfectly. Through these short entries, Levithan opens an intimate window into the couple's space, giving a name to their everyday struggles, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

The Lover's Dictionary

Emma Renfrey

A modern love story told through a series of dictionary-style entries is a sequence of intimate windows into the large and small events that shape the course of a romantic relationship. By the co-author of the best-selling Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.

A Novel

Corn Dawg

Vicky  Nuñez 

This book was TOO short.

That said, it was worth every page & every line. It is an emotional roller-coaster between a couple that everyone can relate to. David Levithan is a genius & I await his next book eagerly.

chloe rae

4.5!
My lovely friend Chasen recommended this little gem to me and honestly, I couldn't put it down. This book was so relatable and heartbreaking and completely took me by surprise. I had only heard bits and pieces about it and didn't really expect to read it any time soon, but I'm so glad I did. It was short and sweet and totally what I was in the mood for.
I didn't expect it to be so sad but I absolutely loved that aspect. I loved that it was out of order and all over the place, like love usually is.
The only problem I had was that I had to look up so many of the words to understand them. I thought my vocabulary was pretty good, but I guess not.
This is totally worth the read and I will definitely be buying a copy for myself in the future!

anumitaa

Ed Kay

Picked this up in a walking hut. Odd to think someone would have carried it with them on a trek, I read it in an hour before dinner! Firstly just random entries, and then when I realised it was intended to be read in order - like a novel, not a dictionary! - I went back to the beginning.

And found myself charmed. A bold concept and executed perfectly. Entries are sometimes a line, others a page: poems or stories or random thoughts or rants or aphorisms or philosophy, but always engaging. Sometimes beautiful, often sad, but always rooted in the reality of being in a relationship. I enjoyed how neurotic the narrator was, how full of doubt: is she really the one? Even after heart wrenching descriptions of his feelings. In fact, that juxtaposition seemed to be the heart of it, and a couple of entries brilliantly capture that duality (I don't have the book now, but the gist being, for each tiny thing she does that twists you up with delight, and melts your heart, there's another habit that drives you insane). The titles (defined words) are rarely mentioned in the entries themselves, and often cause you to reevaluate the meaning of the piece.

I enjoyed how the format forces a non linear plot, so you're aware of... later developments early in the book, but the author still manages to reveal things in stages to some extent such that you feel there's some progression occurring.

But: there's no real ending - or beginning. Just like a dictionary. And just like love. Who can say exactly at which moment this magical thing occurs? Love affairs and relationships are made up of tiny instants, fleeting moments, simple words. This book is both a great descriptor of, and metaphor for, love itself.

Katherine Yang

Written honestly and beautifully, though I think I was hoping for a bit more. David Levithan's style is always thoughtful and revealing, and that takes on a lovely form in this novel without chronology and without resolution. 

The structure, of course, is one of the most interesting aspects of this novel. Levithan gives neither an introduction to the characters, nor a clear narrative of their relationship; instead, through his creative interpretations of dictionary words, we're afforded intimate glimpses into the quotidian, the momentous, and the passionate snapshots of the journey, all written in the present tense. It's not just a static experiment in structure, either: as fickle memory and nostalgia continually return important memories to us, unbidden and shaped a little differently each time, the dictionary entries in the novel revisit pivotal moments in the protagonist's life and expand upon their definitions each time. Thus, as we gain a better sense of the characters, the dictionary entries, though still punctuated by other scattered thoughts, begins to unfold and take shape as the narrative of the relationship, defined as the composite of all the history and dynamics of the relationship that matter to the protagonist.

For more of the entrancing combination of a lack of a linear narrative (see "circuitous, adj.: we do not divulge our histories chronologically") and a microscopic focus on isolated details, this reader recommends Jeanette Winterson's Written on the Body, in which the language is similarly indelible and 耐人尋味! (and the protagonist is also similarly maudlin, but, you know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Some of my favourite entries that had me lingering to re-read (there were… a lot):


Sometimes desire is air; sometimes desire is liquid. And every now and then, when everything else is air and liquid, desire solidifies, and the body is the magnet that draws its weight.



But the moment I shifted from a hope that needed to be proven to a certainty that would be continually challenged? There's no pinpointing that. […] There's just the steady accumulation of awhile.



But I loved the notion that the night was mine to spend, and I immediately decided to spend it on you.



celibacy, n.
n/a



I love the idea that an abuse can be negated. And that the things most often disabused are notions.



That's the dilemma, isn't it? When you're single, there's the sadness and joy of only me. And when you're paired, there's the sadness and joy of only you.



But when it seems insurmountable, I need reminders like this that you can get used to it. That it can take on the comfort of the right choice. That lasting things, do, in fact, last.



I realise: You have become the marker. This is your era. And it's only if it goes on and on that I will have to look for other ways to identify the time.



I have already spent roughly five thousand hours asleep next to you. This has to mean something.


p.s. guys… that sonnet!! mmmmm yes

How does one talk about love? Is it even possible to describe something at once utterly mundane and wholly transcendent, that has the power to consume our lives completely, while making us feel part of something infinitely larger than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this age-old problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary constructs the story of a relationship as a dictionary. Through these sharp entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of coupledom, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

Savindi Jinasena

I picked up The Lover’s Dictionary after reading Will Grayson Will Grayson by David Levithan and I adore it. I’m going to go on another cover gushing spree, but I really like the cover. I think its such a clever and unique cover because it took me about a minute or two to realize that it was a heart made up of all the words used in the book. In all honesty I don’t know if there is a way for me to ‘review’ this book simply because this is the first book I’ve ever encountered in such a format. But I’ll just tell you guys my thoughts on the book.

As I’ve said I think The Lover’s Dictionary is one of the most unusual books I’ve read in a while. Especially because of its format. It’s such a clever idea; to tell the story of a relationship in the format of single words. What I appreciated most about the book is its honesty. I normally don’t read books in the romance department, but more than anything this was a book that described the reality of relationships. Sometimes they’re daunting, humbling, lovely and everything in between. For the most part I figured that the narrator was male, but there were some entries where I wasn’t quite sure. But still I liked that mysterious aspect because it gave the reader freedom to imagine who is saying what.

Some of the entries made me laugh, while others were heartwarming. The Lover’s Dictionary was wonderful in the sense that it made the reader believe that every single word in the dictionary could be used to describe the ups and downs of a relationship. It also depicted the power words; the power to describe a jumble of emotions and experiences with the use of a few letters to form one distinct word.

Two of my favourite entries were:

Buffoonery, n.
You were drunk, and I made the mistake of mentioning Show girls in a near-empty subway car. The pole had no idea what it was about to endure
And

Canvas, n.

We both missed our apartments , that first night, but I think you were the one that came close to genuine regret. I’m sure if we could have afforded it, we would have kept both places. But instead , there we were, in three rooms of our own, not yet. You wanted me to think you were asleep, but I caught you staring at the ceiling. “It will different once we paint,”I promised. “It will be different when we put things on the walls”.

Ithink these two entries really stood out to me because they seemed to be from two opposite ends of the spectrum; the fact that you can lose yourself in someone despite being drunk, and the genuine fear and regret that one can feel when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings, despite being with someone so familiar.

Overall The Lover’s Dictionary was a wonderful read. It’s also a very fast read. I finished it in about 40 minutes after I received it in the mail. It’s also a very quirky book, which was really awesome for me. 

 Also there is a Lover’s Dictionary twitter account updated regularly by David Leviathan where there are more words and experiences to be found. You can find it here. Thank youCassie for telling me about the twitter account!! 


My Rating: 4/5

Would I recommend it? Absolutely

How does one talk about love? We are all beginners when it comes to love, from those tentative first dates to learning how to live with, or without, someone. But how does one describe love? How does one chart its delights and pleasures, its depths and desolations? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary starts where we all once started - with the alphabet. Constructing the story of a relationship as a dictionary, Levithan explores the intimacies and workings of love through his nameless narrator, to paint a moving portrait of love through everyday words. Cleverly using the confines of language to provide an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being part of a couple, Levithan gives us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

A Love Story in 185 Definitions

Ron Bronson

The Lover’s Dictionary is a quick read, because it’s not written like a normal story. Instead, it’s a dictionary of words written as a narrative chronicle of a relationship between two people who use words to describe — almost in journal fashion — how they reacted to their love, their relationship and the composition of it.

It’s not exactly a book I’d normally pick up, but I’d been yearning for a book that I could start and not put down and this one seemed to be a book that might accomplish that task and sure enough; it’s been precisely that kind of novel.
I found myself getting more and more engrossed as time went on, though ot wasn’t an especially linear story. It seems apparent that things happened and that we’re getting it from both of their vantage points, but I didn’t feel like it was always coherent. It was quotable, ease to identify with and uniquely setup. If you’re looking for a breezy read that’ll be enjoyable, The Lover’s Dictiomary would be a worthwhile addition,

Jude Moon

I love love love love David Levithan's writing. He's one of my favourite authors (if not the one) and im reminded of it with every single of his books i read. This one was not my favourite but it was definitely great. At first I was quite reluctant to the format but the way he links the whole love story as if they were definitions in a dictionary, it's just messy (in a good way) but real. I don't really know how to explain how his writing makes me feel because it's so unique and deep and beautiful and ethereal I could really cry about it (I'm being so dramatic i know). I just really liked reading about these two characters and the ups and downs of their love story. 8,5/10

Olivia Mitchell

This was just a beautiful book. Such a unique and clever writing style. Stunning.

High Fidelity

Ovo nije poezija. Ovo je zivot. 
Ovo je slabost,ovo je ljubav,ovo je nesto izmedju dvoje ljudi. 
I posle ovoga znam zasto volim osobu pored mene. 
I posle ovoga mislim da sam konacno u stanju da pisem ponovo.
I posle ovoga pisacu ponovo.
Obavezna preporuka.

Holly Bordelon

Bea R.

misgivings, n.

Last night, I got up the courage to ask you if you regretted us.
“There are things I miss,” you said. “But if I didn’t have you, I’d miss more.”

Tameka Young

Simple yet complex and utterly unique. This book is why I love words so much. I absolutely adored each entry. Some of them made me laugh out loud, others made me tear up, and others found me nodding my head in complete and utter agreement. It is hard not fall in love with this book for it's truthful and poignant look at the arc of a relationship.

Meriem💫

I was introduced to this brilliant book by someone so close to my heart, not so long ago, and for that I am bloody grateful. Thank you, dear.

The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan.

The thing about this novel is, it’s a dictionary. A proper word by word dictionary. Which is an enormously special and unique aspect.

I absolutely love it.

It’s a love story that’s being told through a multitude of words and their definitions. The narrator in this novel tells the love story between him and his lover. It’s relatable, funny, true, heart melting and sometimes even heartbreaking. The definitions are so well written and not boring or so dictionary like. The smooth balance between the storytelling and the literate definitions of the words is beyond perfect and would get the readers intrigued for more. I loved how true it was and how much I could relate to the characters and their feelings and also how the words had different meanings to the ordinary. In a way, it was eyeopening and educational.

The thing that threw me off, and prevented me from giving it a full 5 stars, is the ending. It was a little too sudden and abrupt. I wanted more words, I wanted to know what happened next so bad but sadly the letter Z had only one word and it didn't give away much of the characters future and how things went. I closed the book with a frown on my face.

I recommend this book to all the hopeless romantics out there. Read this and thank me later.

Flavia Louise

If you haven't figured I am gonna tell you that this is a really fast read.
But that is not really a redeeming quality of the book. What really is that through those lexicon entries the narrator succeeds at telling a beautifully, sad story in a mixture of quite plain but at times very poetic and always beautifully used language.
I enjoyed this a lot.

Georgia Carr

Damn man, this is such a cool book! David Levithan, yet again, amazes me with his inexplicably intricate way with words. The set-up is so unique and so different to anything I've ever read before; he really must be commended on his idea. The characters, surprisingly, are very real by the end, and through all the snippets, you get to know their flaws and weaknesses. It's extremely easy to read and pick-up, and I read it in a few hours because of the simplicity. It's got hooks and beautiful language and really awesome words. Definitely recommend.

Olivera Mitić

I gravitate towards this book quite a lot and this has been my forth year reading it in a row. I suppose it's because Levithan has the same thoughts as I when it comes to certain themes and I just want to check whether my opinion has changed. This time I could actually experience it from the perspective of someone who lived through some of the situations that are described in this book and I found it to be even more relatable. 

Also, fun fact, since the names of the main characters aren't mentioned and the whole book is written in second person, you can read it both as a male-female relationship story as well as a male-male one. I only picked up on that on this reread, since every previous time I imagined the love interest as a girl, even though there weren't really any gender markers that could have given it away.

Timi Uysingco

2.75 ⭐️

It was okay. I feel bad for the one who got cheated on and him thinking that they could still work it out. Its hard to earn trust back once its broken, my friend.

Kath Lau

I got this book as a Christmas gift. I normally highlighted lines that i find interesting or lines that i can really say "this is so true" and with this, i almost highlighted every page. I also love how the concept of the writer in writing this book.

Mary Coggins

I really appreciate the creativity with which Levithan wrote this book -- it's so refreshing to see novels reimagined, especially in a time when books can be mass-produced, formulaic, and unoriginal. 

I think this is one that I'll have to read again to fill out the story.

Ariel Himboi

I absolutely fell in love with the style of this book. I knew immediately starting the first page that this was going to be something I loved. This book was the anxiety, desire, and hope that I feel every day when thinking about relationships or remembering the ones I have been in. These were insecurities I felt, the hope that barged its way into the door that leads to my heart and the heartbreak that can come with it.

This is definitely a 4.5 star kind of book that takes you on the adventure of Levithan's heart and I can feel every page. Regardless of if I may or not have experienced what he has, he has a way with words that make you understand the very emotion that comes to life on pages. 

I will say that at some point it got repetitive at the end- may be a decision made by the author but it took me out of the mood of the story and I truly felt there were things in Levithan's head that he couldn't or didn't want to show, or maybe he hadn't yet thought of things and that these repetitions were substitutes. That is how I feel and it might not be the case. 

However, I can say that I spent a lot of time screenshotting and sending certain passages to a friend of mine who would like some advice or at least get a glimpse of what I was feeling and that hopefully, she'd feel the same too. I'm hoping that she'll take them to heart. 

I loved this so much and it was easy to get through in one day. I recommend this for everyone. Everyone should read this.

Siobhán

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The Lover's Dictionary is a hard one to review. So I'm going to keep it short. I first bought this book back in 2012 and I didn't like it. I couldn't get into the story. I just didn't feel it. Now 5 years on I wanted to give it another go and I'm glad I did. It's so unique and captivating.

Read Full Review: http://weeshubbasworld.blogspot.co.uk...

Emma Renfrey &
The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

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Emma Renfrey &The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

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Emma Renfrey &
The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan