The 'u' phrase in book reviews

lynxcannon · Yesterday, 10:58 PM

"Unputdownable" makes my gorge rise. This fabricated phrase now prompts me to flee from otherwise possibly worthy tomes. This may prevent me from discovering worthy reads, but enough is enough.

Uncle Robin · Yesterday, 11:57 PM

I tend to react similarly, albeit less extremely. Of course EVERY phrase, in EVERY language, is "fabricared" - somebody made it up, before which time it did not exist.

Sirtel · Today, 01:55 AM

I don't take it seriously. Blurbs and reviews are full of annoying phrases, unputdownable is just one of them.

And yes, all languages are fabricated. Someone has to make up a word or a phrase, they don't just automagically spring to existence.

Uncle Robin · Today, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I don't take it seriously. Blurbs and reviews are full of annoying phrases, unputdownable is just one of them.

And yes, all languages are fabricated. Someone has to make up a word or a phrase, they don't just automagically spring to existence.

Exactly! That's also why I said my reaction to "unputdownable" is less extreme - the marketing hype phrases that I find MORE triggering are the endless variations of "heart-stopping twist" that accompany every 'psychological thriller'. Cleearly a crude attempt to upsell by suggesting one buy a defibrillator before reading.

Sirtel · Today, 02:13 AM

Or "high-octane" in basically every blurb for action thrillers. I smell gasoline every time I see it and it makes me want to barf.

Dr. Drib · Today, 07:11 AM

I get immense pleasure if I think of them as literal:

"Heart-stopping"
TRAN: The book would never be finished or reviewed. In some circumstances, that would be really wonderful!

"Unputdownable"/ "I couldn't put it down"
TRAN: This might pose a severe problem when going to the bathroom, depending on whether one is either right-handed or left-handed, and which hand is holding the book. Other issues: Or making love. Or shaking hands. Or taking a shower. Or reading another book.

"heart-rending"
TRAN: This would be a bloody mess. The protagonist would be the book. Unfortunately, the dead person would be you. Interesting possibilities for a great story; unless, of course it was "Heart-rending" AND "Heart-stopping", although the end result would be the same - extreme death, doubled.

"This book will have you on the edge of your seat"
TRAN: One can only assume we're talking about a piece of furniture. However, the possibility of what I call "Permanent buttock-indentation" remains a real threat. Fortunately, in life some anatomical zones are meant to be grasped, and CAN be with this type of book.

"This book will slay you."
TRAN: Fortunately, all copies of this serial-killing book have subsequently been rounded up and sent to CECOT. At one-million dollars a book.

"High-octane"
TRAN: Try putting shredded copies of that book in your car! It will make you want to go electric real fast!

Sirtel · Today, 08:41 AM

Apache · Today, 11:02 AM

I never read blurbs about books. The marketing people probably write them without even reading the book. That ranks right up there with artists who paint book covers with out reading them too.
Apache

Sirtel · Today, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

I never read blurbs about books. The marketing people probably write them without even reading the book. That ranks right up there with artists who paint book covers with out reading them too.
Apache

Well, I want to know what the book is about, so I have to read the blurbs. I don't read reviews, as I'm not really interested in others' opinion about a book, but I need to know the synopsis.

Uncle Robin · Today, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Well, I want to know what the book is about, so I have to read the blurbs. I don't read reviews, as I'm not really interested in others' opinion about a book, but I need to know the synopsis.

And THAT'S a bugbear too - downloading metadata now involves trimming War and Peace length synopses that are 80% reviews/blurbs 20% actual content down to something that fits on my Sage screen

DrNefario · Today, 11:26 AM

The problem with "unputdownable" is that it makes "to putdown" the verb. I'm just putdowning this book. I putdowned it after a couple of hours. "Unputtable" makes more sense as a word, but you need the "down" to get the phrase to work. Unputtable-down? Undownputtable? Downunputtable?

And now I'm wondering what I would consider unpickupable.

Sirtel · Today, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

And THAT'S a bugbear too - downloading metadata now involves trimming War and Peace length synopses that are 80% reviews/blurbs 20% actual content down to something that fits on my Sage screen

That's why I don't download any metadata besides cover. I just copy-paste it manually.

Yesterday, 10:58 PM	#1
lynxcannon Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2024 Device: Fire tablet	The 'u' phrase in book reviews "Unputdownable" makes my gorge rise. This fabricated phrase now prompts me to flee from otherwise possibly worthy tomes. This may prevent me from discovering worthy reads, but enough is enough.

Today, 07:11 AM	#6
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,342 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I get immense pleasure if I think of them as literal: "Heart-stopping" TRAN: The book would never be finished or reviewed. In some circumstances, that would be really wonderful! "Unputdownable"/ "I couldn't put it down" TRAN: This might pose a severe problem when going to the bathroom, depending on whether one is either right-handed or left-handed, and which hand is holding the book. Other issues: Or making love. Or shaking hands. Or taking a shower. Or reading another book. "heart-rending" TRAN: This would be a bloody mess. The protagonist would be the book. Unfortunately, the dead person would be you. Interesting possibilities for a great story; unless, of course it was "Heart-rending" AND "Heart-stopping", although the end result would be the same - extreme death, doubled. "This book will have you on the edge of your seat" TRAN: One can only assume we're talking about a piece of furniture. However, the possibility of what I call "Permanent buttock-indentation" remains a real threat. Fortunately, in life some anatomical zones are meant to be grasped, and CAN be with this type of book. "This book will slay you." TRAN: Fortunately, all copies of this serial-killing book have subsequently been rounded up and sent to CECOT. At one-million dollars a book. "High-octane" TRAN: Try putting shredded copies of that book in your car! It will make you want to go electric real fast! Last edited by Dr. Drib; Today at 09:12 AM. Reason: indention to indentation

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Yesterday, 11:57 PM	#2
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,632 Karma: 50808776 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	I tend to react similarly, albeit less extremely. Of course EVERY phrase, in EVERY language, is "fabricared" - somebody made it up, before which time it did not exist.

Today, 01:55 AM	#3
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,182 Karma: 237671961 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I don't take it seriously. Blurbs and reviews are full of annoying phrases, unputdownable is just one of them. And yes, all languages are fabricated. Someone has to make up a word or a phrase, they don't just automagically spring to existence.

Today, 02:13 AM	#5
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,182 Karma: 237671961 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Or "high-octane" in basically every blurb for action thrillers. I smell gasoline every time I see it and it makes me want to barf.

Today, 08:41 AM	#7
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,182 Karma: 237671961 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2

Today, 11:02 AM	#8
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,257 Karma: 90000484 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	I never read blurbs about books. The marketing people probably write them without even reading the book. That ranks right up there with artists who paint book covers with out reading them too. Apache

Today, 11:26 AM	#11
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,189 Karma: 12000000 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	The problem with "unputdownable" is that it makes "to putdown" the verb. I'm just putdowning this book. I putdowned it after a couple of hours. "Unputtable" makes more sense as a word, but you need the "down" to get the phrase to work. Unputtable-down? Undownputtable? Downunputtable? And now I'm wondering what I would consider unpickupable.