The Lover’s Dictionary is a fictional book/novel written by American author David Levithan. It is his first novel for adults. It was published in 2011 by Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux. The book tells a modern love story through dictionary entries which are brief and concise, with a very unusual pattern and style. Over a hundred words were picked to form the Lover’s Dictionary in its 211 pages.
INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BOOK
The idea for the book was inspired by Valentine’s Day tradition in which David Levithan (author) writes a story for a group of family members and friends. David noticed a book called ‘Words You Need to Know’ while he was still trying to come up with an idea for a new Valentine’s Day story and was inspired. David wondered ‘’Could I tell the story of a relationship by just randomly picking words in alphabetical order from this book and then write entries as if it were a dictionary?’’ He chose the words in alphabetical order and let the story and characters reveal themselves as he wrote the dictionary entries.
SUMMARY
The Love’s Dictionary has a nameless narrator that tells the story of a relationship through dictionary entries. These short entries provide insight into the ups and downs of their romantic relationship. It also reveals the couple’s problem with alcoholism and infidelity. The story does not unfold in chronological order, instead, it is arranged alphabetically by dictionary entries. This gives glimpses into the joys and struggles the characters face over the course of their relationship.
PIECES FROM THE LOVER’S DICTIONARY
Abyss, (n): There are times when I doubt everything. When I regret everything you’ve taken from me, everything I’ve given you, and the waste of all the time I’ve spent on us.
Blemish, (n): The slight acne scars. The penny-sized, penny-shaped, birthmark right above your knee. The dot below your shoulder that must have been from when you had chicken pox in third grade. The scratch on your neck – did I do that?
Cadence, (n): I have never lived anywhere but New York or New England, but there are times when I’m talking to you and I hit a Southern vowel, or a word gets caught in a Southern truncation, and I know it’s because I’m swimming in your cadences, that you permeate my very language.
