Title: Eats, Shoots and Leaves
Author: Lynne Truss
Type: Non-Fiction
Page Count/Review Word Count: 214
Rating: 10/10
Lynne Truss – Eats, Shoots and Leaves
Why did I not read this earlier? This is a grammarian godsend, and a great introduction to the world of the Oxford comma. See what I did there? And whilst it’s not exactly a textbook like Strunk & White’s Elements of Style, it’s still a fantastic reference book when needed.
But it’s so much more than that. Truss writes about the bizarre set of conventions that we call grammar with what can only be described as a religious fervor, and by the time you reach the end, she’ll have converted you to the cause, too.
Who knew that reading about semicolons and ellipses could be so interesting? It’s entertaining, too – Truss has this habit of pouncing on the atrocious aberrations that litter UK high streets and the websites of national and international companies. She has a particular hatred for Two Weeks Notice, because the movie omitted a vital apostrophe from its name.
And she has every right to be annoyed – the English language is a beautiful thing, and punctuation is vital to keep its clarity. Grammar mistakes make me want to punch pandas, so do them a favour and read Lynne’s book.
Lynne Truss
