pennym_'s review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.0
this is a fine quick read. i didn't realize it was more of a writing resource than a linguistic deep-dive into cussing, which is what i was hoping for. but it is fine for what it is!
emily_stimmel's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
jenna_cross's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This is a lively display of the mutating fads of cussing throughout history. Dunn discusses how writers have used curse words in different works and what they were trying to accomplish with those word choices. She explains how some succeeded and why. She also gives examples of how authors failed to execute a point to the fullest by avoiding cussing or by using more tepid language than the scene or character deserved. I stumbled across this short gem as I sought out a Pacific Northwest author’s work to read for my IRL book club. This was a little aperitif from a local Portland, Oregon author to whet my appetite for the novel that was ultimately picked. Thank you.
peggykelly95's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
2.75
Quick and dirty history and categorization of basic cussing (religious, bodily functions, ethnic). Dunn's style was interesting. The latter part of the book she spoke to the reader as if we were going to be writers.