Blurb Your Enthusiasm: A Cracking Compendium of Book Blurbs, Writing Tips, Literary Folklore and Publishing Secrets

A book about the words on books, their magic, and literary history. It answers questions such as should all adjectives be murdered, is blurbing sometimes lying, and which classic novel was nearly called The High Bouncing Lover?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2023
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

A small masterpiece.

There is something funny, notable, or awe-inspiring on every single page.

Jenny Colgan, Spectator

A joyful celebration of books – the perfect gift for bibliophiles, word lovers, and anyone who has ever wondered, "Should you judge a book by its cover?"

We love the words in books – but what about the words on them? How do they work their magic?

Penguin Books blurb wizard Louise Willder joyfully divulges what those 100-or-so words can tell us about literary history, the craft of writing, authors from George Orwell to Zadie Smith, genres from children's fiction to bonkbusters, cover design, the dark arts of persuasion, and even why we read.

She also answers burning questions such as:

• Should all adjectives be murdered?

• Is blurbing sometimes maybe lying?

• Which classic novel was nearly called "The High Bouncing Lover?"

• What are the worst blurbs of all time?

‘The bookiest book about books youll ever read – I loved it Lucy Mangan

‘Truly delightful...I couldnt have had more fun Benjamin Dreyer

‘Very funny, erudite, and profound. A delight! Nina Stibbe

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 196 x 129 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780861546169