Review of Words to Love a Planet

Language is a thing that I’ve always found most interesting, from writing and the construction of stories, to the differences and similarities between all the dialects of the world.  Some time ago, I found a book called Lost in Translation, a book of words that could not be translated from their own language without a significant explanation, and I’d hoped to find something similar here.

While this book is interesting, it’s not the sort of book that brings that nuance, the words detailed in here are interesting, but lack the complexity of the other book.  What I found most interesting was the words in languages that I understand, and the notion of how (if ever) those words would be used by me, either in story or in conversation, with the sad realisation that for the most part, none of them would be.

I did find several in languages not my own that I could appreciate and enjoy, Yakamoz, the shimmering of light on water, and others, like Zeitgeber, to describe someone who gives of their time, but made from two known words to form something slightly more profound.   With that, I do suspect that my enjoyment of the book was spoiled by the fact that I already knew some of the words and wouldn’t use them in the context to which they were described. 

Doesn’t stop the book from being interesting, just not as riveting as I’d hoped for, still recommended for an interesting read.

Thanks to Michael O’Mara books and the author for the free ARC in return for the review.  My words are my own truth, no incentives offered or accepted.