Banning Reviewerese in Book Reviews

Posted on August 16, 2004

Book reviewers sometimes use similar phrases to explain a novel to readers. The Telegraph has an amusing article about "reviewese" -- the language of book reviews. In it the journalist relates his coming to terms with the special language used by all book reviewers to let readers know what kind of book they're getting.

His most detested phrases that he wants banned from book reviews include: "laughoutloud funny," "editor should be shot," "emotional rollercoaster," "overnight sensation," "achingly beautiful" and the dreaded "high-octane" - the fuel needed to keep thrillers going at breakneck speed. Does anyone have a thesaurus handy?