Word Bringer

In the whimsical world of 1986 publishing, where shoulder pads reigned supreme and cassette tapes were the height of technological advancement, "Word Bringer" by Edward Llewellyn emerges like a slightly battered time capsule of literary aspirations. This tome, though initially a humble offering by Daw Books, quite boldly raises the question: what if words themselves were sentient beings, plotting their escape from the confines of dusty libraries? Yes, dear reader, this is a ride on the rather perplexing train of linguistic liberation. Buckle up, for the journey promises more twists than an unscrewed lightbulb.

Our protagonist, a handsome amalgam of a thesaurus and a daydreamer, finds himself flung into a world where every word he utters literally springs to life. Imagine the chaos! One moment you’re casually stating that it’s ’raining cats and dogs,’ and the next you’re knee-deep in a fluffy furball of epic proportions. One can only hope that Llewellyn’s sense of humor was as sharp as the edges of this book, which has endured its share of time-worn wear and tear. The absurdity of it all could be mistaken for a long-lost Monty Python sketch—only without the added benefit of a well-timed foot to the face.

This curious narrative meanders through a landscape populated by those brave enough to wrestle with the surreal and the absurd, making it the perfect companion for anyone wondering if words are, in fact, more trouble than they are worth. It begs the question: do we truly have control over language, or are we merely passengers on a runaway train of syntax? Llewellyn’s penchant for puzzling prose invites readers to ponder the slippery nature of communication. Consider it a literary buffet where you might be served a delightful dish of gibberish alongside an entrée of existential crisis.

• Brilliantly absurd character names that defy the laws of common sense
• A plot so convoluted it makes a pretzel look like a straight line
• Unexpected cameo appearances by linguistic legends (think Shakespeare in a tutu)
• More puns than a pun convention—hold onto your hats!
• Multiple instances where you’ll question your own grasp of the English language

As the pages turn, readers are greeted with a parade of eccentric wordplay that may just make you wish you had taken up a career in lexicography. Llewellyn’s style, which might best be described as a caffeinated Victorian in a neon tracksuit, offers both whimsy and wit, but also raises a curious eyebrow at the very nature of storytelling. Are we mere puppets, dancing to the whims of our vocabulary? Or are we the writers of our own destinies—albeit with an overabundance of adjectives?

Condition: This copy of "Word Bringer" has been lovingly pre-owned, which means you might just find a few delightful surprises nestled between the pages—like an old receipt from a defunct bookstore or an existential crisis from a previous reader. The spine may have seen better days, but fear not! The stories within are still as lively as a pub quiz on a Wednesday night. With a few dog-eared pages and some marginalia that could rival a Shakespearean sonnet, this book possesses a character that only years of companionship can bestow.

So, whether you’re a wordsmith looking for inspiration or simply in search of a quirky conversation starter for your next book club (or maybe just a way to avoid awkward silences at a dinner party), "Word Bringer" delivers on all fronts, albeit in a perplexing, roundabout manner. With its oddities, eccentricities, and outright confounding moments, it stands as a testament to the belief that sometimes, the juiciest stories come wrapped in the most peculiar of packages.

Available now at Crappy Old Books, where we specialize in the peculiar, the quirky, and the downright delightful finds that other booksellers would rather forget. Take a chance—after all, who wouldn’t want to bring a few more words into their life?

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