I just started reading the book The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. I didn’t really know what to think about this book before I started reading it. To be honest, it sounded like it would just be a boring book about the history of the Oxford English Dictionary. Well, the preface and the first chapter totally changed my mind. I really liked how the Winchester grabbed my attention by with the intriguing preface. I wanted to know more about this Mr. Minor and how he got to be in an asylum for the criminally insane. The preface and the first chapter reminded me of the mystery novels that I love.
Even though, I only finished the first two chapters so far, I can tell that the author, Simon Winchester, will never lose sight of the true purpose of his book, the Oxford English Dictionary. Now, I know that may seem like a silly statement because the book is about the protagonists who help to create the OED, but it is true. Winchester cleverly places the most important word for each chapter at the beginning of the chapter under the OED definition. It really gets the reader in the mindset for the Oxford English Dictionary. I am excited to read more about the professor and the madman, especially the madman. Who knew reading about a dictionary could be so criminally intriguing?
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I am so happy I read your blog because I am going to start reading the book tonight. Like you, I was not looking forward to it because I am also writing a huge research paper, teaching my 10-day unit, and am reading Melville's best for our literature class.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you enjoyed the first few chapters because now I'm not dreading it anymore. Thanks, Anna!
I dreaded it, also! Our schedules are just packed. However, I didn't feel like I was reading non-fiction. It was a truly interesting story, in which the author really created suspense for the reader. I hope you enjoyed it :)
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