Probably my favorite bits of this book were the introductions before each chapter. You really got a sense of how much Lipton loved words and the hunt for new terms of venery and really, it was just lovely to read. I was astonished at some of the terms that have been around since the 15th century and even more impressed as Lipton related some of his searches as he tried to discover just what some of them meant and how they came to be called their term.

However, while usually terms of venery excite me and incite a desire to memorize each and every one, I found quite a number of Lipton's own terms to be devoid of creating this desire. But there were a few that garnered a chuckle or a effort to memorize the term. Unfortunately, I was unable to write them down and will have to re-acquire this book so as to do so.

Even though I did not love this book as much as I thought I would, I am now far more interested in the game of creating the terms and would love to play a "chase" with my sisters. Somehow I think Lipton would be ecstatic at that turn of events.

One of my favorite quotes (not from the chapter "Heaven", in case you were wondering.)

"One can imagine a sentient picture, after being rubbed and scraped and re-commenced for the tenth time, wishing that it were only a thumb-nail sketch whose making was over in a minute. In the same way, it is natural for us to wish that God had designed for us a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then we are wishing not for more love but for less.”

I started reading this on a Wednesday afternoon as a religious book to read whilst covering for a Holy Hour but I soon realized that it was so much more than that. I wasn't really expecting to be too engaged with the book or to actually desire to finish it once I had the opportunity to do other things.

Silly me. I should have known better. It is C.S. Lewis, after all.

Edit: Nov 2014

Unfortunately, I put this book down, lost it, and never got around to finding a new copy. However, this book and its content has become quite relevant, so I'm starting it again.

It's really just genius. I'll admit that there were sections, mostly smack dab in the middle, that I had to re-read over and over before I felt like I had gotten it. And then there were a few sections where I didn't feel that the ideas had sunk into my brain like I wished. So I wrestled past those few pages and came upon the chapter "Animal Pain", which was very easy to read and understand. And then I came upon the chapter "Heaven" and, nearly immediately, I knew that it would be my favorite chapter. Oh, there were parts of the book that I will endeavor to carry the words in my head, and they shall be jumbled around in a great mess, and undoubtedly come out mangled when I try to recite them as the occasion demands. But I think I shall carry the meaning and the beauty of that last chapter in my heart, even if I cannot help but fail to explain it to another.

If it isn't 5 stars, it is very nearly, so I'm rounding up.


What a delightful book this was! Even better, I should think, curled up in an armchair or a window seat with a cup of tea. It has that feel to it.
A letter inquiring about books to be bought led to a friendship spanning two countries and twenty years. And as if that wasn't wonderful enough, the fact that these are real letters between Frank and Helene and all the employees at Marks & Co, as well as a few other friends and family, knocked me over. It is such a short book, it could be read in an afternoon, but it is so full of exactly that kind of love and kinship and camaraderie that we all, or at least I, very much wish to have.

“If you happen to pass by 84 Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me? I owe it so much.”