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nelsbels's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Even I’m not this much of a nerd.
I feel like this book would be interesting to a very specific subset of people, but it fails to appeal to a wider audience.
I feel like this book would be interesting to a very specific subset of people, but it fails to appeal to a wider audience.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
A thorough history of some of punctuation marks and symbols. It is interesting to see how far back many of these marks begin. I found it all so fascinating. It is astounding to think that we have held on to some of them for as long as we have.
It is also interesting to see how many of the marks have evolved into what we recognize them as today. There are illustrations (many images of ancient scripts) to indicate how the punctuation or symbol began and how it is recognized today.
I think what makes this a three for me is that, at times, it felt too detailed in describing a keyboard or printing plates.
An enjoyable read with a great title.
It is also interesting to see how many of the marks have evolved into what we recognize them as today. There are illustrations (many images of ancient scripts) to indicate how the punctuation or symbol began and how it is recognized today.
I think what makes this a three for me is that, at times, it felt too detailed in describing a keyboard or printing plates.
An enjoyable read with a great title.
tenderdispatches's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute must for any typography buff, grammar nerd, or bibliophile.
cmvogt5's review against another edition
5.0
This book is just fantastic. Traipsing down the dark alleys of punctuation from the library of Alexandria, to the monks of Europe, to the earliest novelists in France, and even to the internet, Shady Characters contains a wealth of information about the marks that delineate and enliven our written word. I look forward to dropping the occasional pilcrow and manticule into whatever documentation I can from now on!
The hardcover edition has a special treat if you remove the dust jacket from the front cover.
The hardcover edition has a special treat if you remove the dust jacket from the front cover.
nicolednk's review against another edition
4.0
You have to be in the right mood for this book. Obviously. When in the zone, this totally could be 5 stars...love the history and names of symbols that I never even realized had names! Lol A good reads giveaway win...
jlo615's review against another edition
3.0
Won through Goodreads First Reads.
Extremely informative read for anyone interested in history, trivia, or uncovering the stories behind everyday items. While there is not much of a plot, the book is well crafted and interesting. It is not the type of book that will keep you up reading late into the night, but that is not the aim. The textbook-like read is decorated with amusing anecdotes that hold the reader's attention while staying focused on the task at hand.
Extremely informative read for anyone interested in history, trivia, or uncovering the stories behind everyday items. While there is not much of a plot, the book is well crafted and interesting. It is not the type of book that will keep you up reading late into the night, but that is not the aim. The textbook-like read is decorated with amusing anecdotes that hold the reader's attention while staying focused on the task at hand.