Indie Book Review: Miss Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins

Miss Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins: The Careful Writer's Guide to the Taboos, Bugbears, and Outmoded Rules of English Usage

by Theodore M. Berstein

The old adage, rules are made to be broken has never been as well defended as in MISS THISTLEBOTTOM'S HOBGOBLINS. Throughout the book, Bernstein asserts that we have been indoctrinated with English usage rules that lack flexibility and evoke fear, confusion and frustration in writers. There are times when splitting an infinitive or ending a sentence with a preposition makes sense. Through a series of one-sided correspondences with Bertha Thistlebottom, an archetypal grade school English teacher, Bernstein addresses the community of rule mongering sticklers who have tried to squeeze the English language into a set of inflexible rules and outmoded definitions that only serve to stifle its growth and paralyze writers. In addition to his letters to Miss Thistlebottom, there are scores of entries where Bernstein debunks the rules of yesteryear with wit and intelligence and illustrates how to write effectively without the worry of hobgoblins.

~ MY REVIEW ~

If your a literary professional, writer or just a plain old grammar nerd, you'll enjoy this book of hobgoblins! It's full of interesting facts regarding the English language, laid out in a quirky and informational way. I enjoyed the author's way of speech and his ability to keep a reference guide entertaining. I definitely took away some great tools for my editing and writing in the future! That's the thing about the English language, there are always more tricks of the trade to tuck away into your arsenal! And most importantly, this book concentrates on getting back to the written word, instead of being stuck debating oppressive grammar rules.