The 'u' phrase in book reviews

[lynxcannon]

"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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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-indention" 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!