From the sarcastic to the suggestive; here are quotation marks as we love them best; doing horrible damage to the English language. Who wouldnt have second thoughts about ordering the "hamburger" on the diners menu? Would it be best to skip the "blowout" sale at the department store? What hidden price must be paid for something marked "free"? Assembled by the creator of the wildly popular "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks; this book surveys the havoc wreaked by quotation marks on signs; menus; placards; and posters that leave reality upended by supposed "facts." This smarty-pants guide is "perfect" for desperate grammarians; habitual air quoters; and anyone who appreciates a good laugh.
#1527984 in eBooks 2012-05-31 2012-05-31File Name: B0080K3NJW
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Achievement with an Open MindBy LaRueArtandCopyAn achievement in rock-writing; a unique trophy among most rock literature. As a long-time loyal fan follower of REM. I am subsequently cynical quick to dismiss new books or stories over my favorite band. However. this book is a delight. Strong recommendation for those pure fans of REM the band. not just the music.The authors unusual approach initially put me off. but after a few more pages I realized the bigger picture being painted - the inviting storytelling charisma. At times the book is as enigmatic as is the band. Good read. but check the facts for more accuracy.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Raises the question of writing email interviewsBy plumnbagelThe author has obviously used email to interview people. and the result is a text that twists from one tone to anther. In an early single page. the voice goes from chippy ("And I said. Pete. lets play sometime. Ill play my bass and you play your guitar. and Pete said. No. Im not going to play with anybody until its serious and you know. it worked out for him!") to impressionistic ("...as writer Geoff Ward remembers: Green. Trailing green. Miles and miles of it. between Atlanta (where our plane touched down) and Athens. Georgia. ")In a face-to-face or even telephone interview. I suspect the writer would have quoted only the important parts of an interview. leaving out. for instance. the parentheses in the latter quote above. or the word "Georgia" at the end of the quote (as he has referred to Athens already many times).Perhaps he thought that. because text came to him in a paragraph form. he had no right to be selective in his editing. Perhaps readers feel the same way.In either case. for me the interviews had the effect of hijacking the writers book and robbing the reader of any feeling of flow over the course of the narrative.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Informative and InsightfulBy Thomas M. Manderfeld"Fiction" is a must read for any R.E.M. fan. Im always happy to pick up a book and learn something I did not know beforehand. and this book is loaded with anecdotes and quotes that had eluded me in previous books and articles Ive read on the band. The author does a great job analyzing each album and provides great interviews by the band members and those involved in the making of each album. My only complaint about the book is the constant misspellings of peoples names. i.e music executive Mo Ostin is continuously spelled Austin. and there are inaccurate song titles listed throughout. For the most part. I found "Fiction" to be a compelling look back at one of rock musics most important bands. The book boasts some wonderful photographs as well.
