Official Review: Becoming Moon by Craig A. Hart

Post by **bookowlie** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:06

PashaRu wrote:I agree, I think unique or unusual words adds color and interest, as long as it's not overdone and ends up sounding pretentious.

(I used to read the dictionary when I was a kid!)

I agree that unique words add interest, as long as it's not overused. I used to have a neighbor when I lived in Connecticut that was very pretentious. She would strongly pepper her conversation with what I call Scrabble words. She wasn't even that intelligent, but tried to seem like she was. I have some words to use to describe her, but I can't use them here.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:12

HA HA--maybe the difference is in the motivation? If, say, you're using big words because you like those words, versus using big words to show off, then that's the split. So you've got eloquence on the one hand, and subtle bragging on the other. Kinda like naming your dog Fido, versus naming your dog Phydeaux?

-- July 22nd, 2015, 9:13 pm --

bookowlie wrote:
I have some words to use to describe her, but I can't use them here.

It sounds like she was a real sourpuss.

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:29

I think using unique or unusual words is more acceptable in writing. When used in everyday conversational speech, it's hard not to sound snobbish or pretentious. But when used appropriately in writing, it lifts it from average/mediocre to unique/interesting/artistic.

Which is one reason why I really enjoyed this book. The quality of writing and elasticity with which the author uses language is above average. It's a craft he has clearly honed with experience and time.

Post by **bookowlie** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:39

I totally agree. There are many words that come across well in writing, but just sound awkward in speech. They even sound more awkward coming from someone who was of mediocre intelligent and lower than mediocre on the "class-ometer" scale. She basically tried too hard to fit into the snobby CT lifestyle.

Back to the book! Pasha, it clearly sounds like the author has a way with words. Those types of books are always enjoyable to read, no matter what the genre.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:44

I agree too; I can tell from your review that the author is a good wordsmith. And the fact that his book was perfectly edited also supports that! (Editing to perfection can be daunting! Give that author a prize!)

Actually, there really should be a prize for perfectly-edited books, especially of the self-published nature. Do we have a prize we can give to Mr. Hart?

I never thought about the speech/writing difference. Imagine if you had an irate neighbor who started yelling at you in Olde English. That would be funny.

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:53

Ever see Monty Python and the Holy Grail? The French knight insulting King Arthur's men from the castle wall is still one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Post by **bookowlie** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:57

My dad and brother are huge Monty Python fans. They would regularly quote Monty Python at the dinner table.

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 22 Jul 2015, 20:58

The entire movie is quotable! One of my all-time favorites!

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 22 Jul 2015, 21:08

I'm sorry. I've never seen it.

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 22 Jul 2015, 21:32

Well, now you have an assignment.

Post by **bookowlie** » 22 Jul 2015, 21:44

"It's just a flesh wound."

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 22 Jul 2015, 21:47

As much as I'd like to, I can't turn Mr. Hart's review thread into a Monty Python quote fest.

But...your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

Post by **bookowlie** » 22 Jul 2015, 21:50

OK, back to the book. Actually, I almost selected this book a few weeks ago and then it 'disappeared" off the list after dinner. That's what I get for eating.

I wonder if the main character is based on the author.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 22 Jul 2015, 21:54

PashaRu wrote:As much as I'd like to, I can't turn Mr. Hart's review thread into a Monty Python quote fest.

But...your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

Excuse me?

bookowlie wrote:OK, back to the book. Actually, I almost selected this book a few weeks ago and then it 'disappeared" off the list after dinner. That's what I get for eating.

I wonder if the main character is based on the author.

I was wondering the exact same thing. It sounded that way. How is it listed, as fiction or as memoir?