“Ubiquitous, adj.
When it’s going well, the fact of it is everywhere. It’s there in the song that shuffles into your ears. It’s there in the book you’re reading. It’s there on the shelves of the store as you reach for a towel and forget about the towel. It’s there as you open the door. As you stare off into the subway, it’s what you’re looking at. You wear it on the inside of your hat. It lines your pockets. It’s the temperature.
The hitch, of course, it that when it’s going badly, it’s in all the same places.”
The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan is just that – an exploration of love relationships of the romantic kind, for better or for worse. Though billed as a novel, it reads more like a collection of poems in the format of dictionary entries. There is a story about a nameless main character and his significant other, who could be a he or a she, but the book is less about their individual relationship and more about the nature of all relationships in the modern world, from the mundane progression and determination of meeting, dating, and moving in together to the profound, universal, yet unique feelings of attachment and commitment experienced when you’re in love. Instead of moving chronologically, snapshots of the middle, beginning, and end are sprinkled throughout the alphabetical entries. Like the recent film 500 Days of Summer, as you read The Lover’s Dictionary you’ll have an idea of where the narrator’s at times smooth and rocky relationship is going before you know how it began. Because of this skipping order and the vague identities of the lovers it lacks the plot suspense and character development of a traditional novel. Still, it offers some suspense in when and how the clues of what went right and what went wrong are dropped. However, Levithan’s first adult novel shines the brightest in those entries which muse upon what is means to love and be loved. My favorite entries were those which broke down the definition of a word and how that word relates and brings new insight to our perception of love. A favorite entry and standout definition for the novel itself:
“Lover, n.
Oh, how I hated this word. So pretentious, like it was always being translated from the French. The tint and taint of illicit, illegitimate affections. Dictionary meaning: a person having a love affair. Impermanent. Unfamilial. Inextricably linked to sex.
I have never wanted a lover. In order to have a lover, I must go back to the root of the word. For I have never wanted a lover, but I have always wanted to love, and to be loved.
There is no word for the recipient of the love. There is only a word for the giver. There is the assumption that lovers come in pairs.
When I say, Be my lover, I don’t mean, Let’s have an affair. I don’t mean, Sleep with me. I don’t mean, Be my secret.
I want us to go back down to that root.
I want you to be the one who loves me.
I want to be the one who loves you.”
If you love words, there are several other entries like this which parse a word in order to shed hidden and lost meaning to an otherwise common, everyday word. Though I didn’t enjoy the format as much as a full-length novel – the timely specifics of the modern, no name couple’s relationship resulted in an impersonal feel – I appreciated the original, creative idea behind it and Levithan’s inspired writing. Though short in length it’s something to mull over, go back, and reread rather than cruise through. Some of the more thought-provoking entries will stick with me and have changed how I think about a particular word. The Lover’s Dictionary is my first read by Levithan and a great introduction to his writing. Fans of his work will devour it. Now I just need to decide which of his books I’ll be reading next.
And now for the giveaway! All you need to do is leave a comment telling me the title of your favorite novel by David Levithan and why I should read it, OR if you haven’t read anything by Levithan tell me why you want to read The Lover’s Dictionary as well as a way to contact you. Followers get +2 entries and new followers get +1 entry. Open to U.S. and Canada residents until 12:00 a.m. MST on March 28.
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Novel Thoughts Review
Pure Imagination Review
This looks interesting but it seems like you had a lukewarm reaction to it? I’ve only read Nick and Norah and Dash and Lily and I enjoyed reading both.
Yep, sure did. It wasn’t what I was expecting and I let the hype of other reviewers get to me. I ended up appreciating it for what it was though. Thanks for the recs – I’ve been thinking about reading Dash and Lily for awhile. Maybe it’s time to get serious.
I would love to read this. I’ve only read Will Grayson, Will Grayson which was co-authored by John Green. However, it’s really awesome and I do recommend.
+1 new follower!
Thanks for the rec!
I want this book. I love books that plays with words, and this seems right up my alley.
I can’t really join your contest, but I second Chachic’s recommendation for Dash and Lily. I haven’t read other solo books by Levithan, but I hear Love is the Higher Law is also pretty good.
I know, I wish I could afford international shipping. Thanks for seconding Dash and Lily – I’ll definitely bump it up now. I’ve heard great things about Higher Law too. I hope you get to read this soon.
Hi Holly,
I’m Kate Evangelista, author of Taste, and I just wanted to take this time to introduce myself. If you have the time, please stop by The Coffee Bar by using the link below:
http://kateevangelistanovels.blogspot.com/
I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Kate
New Follower!
I just loved Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares — I mean it takes place in a bookstore and revolves around books! Perfection!
I am giving away my copy right now too
Mary
Hi!~
What a great book! I haven’t read any books by this author yet and to be honest this is actually the first time I ever heard about him (shame on me!) but the excerpts you provided are so brilliant and witty that it’s not possible to pass on the opportunity to win a copy!
I’m a new follower, so +1
my email: evieseo(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m so curious about this book and how it’s written–the idea seems so unique!
Let’s see. Looking back, I actually have read a few of his books! Two of them were the ones that he co-wrote with Rachel Cohn (I recommend Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist–it’s SO good. There are a few f-bombs thrown in there though if that’s something of concern.) and Boy Meets Boy which was very sweet and very quirky.
+2 for being an old (and happy) follower <3
Dear Holly,
Very much enjoy your reviews! Your way to engage us readers is awesome, thanks a lot.
Sorilla
I think you’ll like Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares. It is a sweet book with humor added in.
gfc follower: Elise at Bookish Delights
caliblue7 at gmail dot com
I would love to read this book because one of my bloggy friends — Lori at Pure Imagination — absolutely LOVES Levithan. I have complete faith in her taste, and I’ve heard others rave about this novel so I’m eager to read it! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
+1 I’m a new follower =)
Casey
thebookishtypereviews AT gmail DOT com
I absolutely loved Wide Awake by David Leviathin. It’s a great LGBTQ novel about a young gay teen reflecting about his life and relationships as the first gay Jewish president is elected in the USA. I would definitely recommend it to any fans of YA political novels or anyone who supports LGBTQ literature.
Ohh, I love his collabs, Nick and Norah, Dash and Lily, Will Grayson Will Grayson… all were awesome (and honestly, I liked *his* character/writing more than the other writer *shhh*) hehe Thank you for the contest!
Oh, and I don’t know… I was a follower before I found this page but I did only start following today… I guess new follower then :p
holesinmybrain@hotmail.com
Lol no, I’ll count you as an old follower.
Thanks for coming over and writing such great comments!
I’m a new follower (+1 please
)
I think that this book sounds like it would be a ‘different’ read. I am intrigued by the way it is written and would love a chance to read it because I like when authors try different things in a books as opposed to “cookie cutter” books – The ones where you read them and already know the ending cause another book you’ve read is very similar…
Thanks for the chance to win it
Christie
swaggirl01 at gmail dot com
I’ve only been able to read Nick and Norah’s Playlist which David Levithan co-authored with Rachel Cohn and it has got to be one of the best love stories I read, it’s just so raw and just perfect. I look forward to reading their books sometime soon! I can’t wait to read The Lover’s Dictionary! I love the idea behind it, it sounds really interesting! Thank you for this contest!
+1 new follower
sylvia_uy4(at)yahoo(dot)com
I loved Nick and Norah and of course Dash and Lily. Looking forward to reading The Lover’s Dictionary.
+1 new follower. Thanks for the giveaway.
Lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares, hands-down!
LOVED it!
This one keeps intriguing me, pulling at my word-lovin’ heart …
+1 for new follower
quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com
I want to read the lover’s dictionary because it just sounds so beautiful and alluring and i just everything that is about love and this book is the definition of it no pun intended lol
I have not read any of David’s books yet. I would like to read this one because it sounds very interesting.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net