A review by jenna_cross
On Cussing: Bad Words and Creative Cursing by Katherine Dunn

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.