The Book of Nonexistent Words

by Stefano Massini, Richard Dixon (Translator)

Overview

The internationally acclaimed author harnesses his brilliant imagination and masterful storytelling ability to create a catalog of new words inspired by stories of real people in this wondrous book reminiscent of Italo Calvino’s mesmerizing Invisible Cities.

How many times have words not been enough?

How many complex feelings don’t have a corresponding noun that properly describes them?

How many times has language left us like an archer without arrows in the labyrinth of our emotions?

Award-winning author Stefano Massini, a master of expression,, made a discovery that shot new life into his writing practice. To his surprise he found that the ancient rules of language were not quite as restrictive as he had long envisioned them to be. With so many emotions and states of mind missing modern descriptors and definitions, Massini stumbled across a simple but artistry-altering idea. Instead of compromising honest expression through perfunctory verbiage, he decided language was, if anything, a flowing palette of colors he could use to paint all things. Words are meant to be invented.

To reconfirm his belief in the magic of words, Massini returned to the wondrous mechanism that has fed dictionaries from time immemorial. If he could not find the precise word he wanted, he created one. In this delightful compendium, he introduces his personal vocabulary; every chapter mentions a new word that comes from a story about a real person, from Louis XIV to an American gangster.

The Book of Nonexistent Words is a beautifully illustrated collection of linguistic origin stories wrought from the mind of an internationally renowned storytelling icon. Massini effectively liberates our human capacity for using language creatively and shows how we can embrace storytelling to fine tune our way of being in the world. Massini encourages us to be imaginative; if the language in the dictionary cannot adequately match the reality of the here and now, we must create new words that ring true.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798200743186
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/05/2021
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 5.60(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Stefano Massini received a degree in Ancient Literature from the University of Florence, before beginning his theatrical career in 2002. He is currently the Creative Consultant at Piccolo Teatro di Milano. He has directed and written numerous plays such as The Diary of Anne Frank and wrote the award-winning L’odore assordante del bianco. The Lehman Trilogy premiered on the West End in 2019 where it was nominated for five Oliver Awards. Massini lives in Milan, Italy.

RICHARD DIXON lives and works in Italy. His translations include works by Umberto Eco, Roberto Calasso, and Giacomo Leopardi. His translation of The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco was short-listed for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize in 2012.

Table of Contents

The Words You Don't Have 1

A Annonism and Anchorism 11

B Biroism and Bicism 23

C Caransebic 35

D Dottism 45

E Eastmanian 59

F Faradian 69

G Gamainic and Grantairic 81

H Hearstian 95

I Innesian 105

L Liarism 115

M Mapuchize 127

N Nazinate 137

O Oatism and Olivarism 147

P Parksian and Pietersonism 159

Q Questic 169

R Rosabellian 181

S Shenshinism 191

T Tautonaic and Telegramic 203

U Unloyalism 215

V Villanism or Vecellism 227

Z Zacharian and Zeissian 241

A Note from the Translator 255

Editorial Reviews

Narrator John Lee approaches Stefano Massini’s clever and diverting audiobook with a suitable mix of whimsy and gravitas. Massini, an Italian playwright and novelist, has created an alphabetical compendium of new words inspired by actual events. The events are as obscure as they are real, which adds to the fun. Thus, we have “annonism” and “anchorism” from Navy recruit Charlie Cowart’s experiences with the airship USS AKRON in 1932. “Biroism” is from the story behind the invention of the ballpoint pen. And there’s more—all the way to “zeissian.” Lee’s usual warm baritone and British-fusion accent support the solemnity of a book about words, while his almost audible wink and rhythmic delivery, reminiscent of a pub storyteller’s, reflect the work’s charm and quirkiness. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile

Narrator John Lee approaches Stefano Massini’s clever and diverting audiobook with a suitable mix of whimsy and gravitas. Massini, an Italian playwright and novelist, has created an alphabetical compendium of new words inspired by actual events. The events are as obscure as they are real, which adds to the fun. Thus, we have “annonism” and “anchorism” from Navy recruit Charlie Cowart’s experiences with the airship USS AKRON in 1932. “Biroism” is from the story behind the invention of the ballpoint pen. And there’s more—all the way to “zeissian.” Lee’s usual warm baritone and British-fusion accent support the solemnity of a book about words, while his almost audible wink and rhythmic delivery, reminiscent of a pub storyteller’s, reflect the work’s charm and quirkiness. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile