The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig

4.7 (10)
$22.99

Product Details

Web ID: 15415930

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER It's undeniably thrilling to find words for our strangest feelings. . . Koenig casts light into lonely corners of human experience. . . An enchanting book. —The Washington Post A truly original book in every sense of the word, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows poetically defines emotions that we all feel but don't have the words to express—until now. Have you ever wondered about the lives of each person you pass on the street, realizing that everyone is the main character in their own story, each living a life as vivid and complex as your own? That feeling has a name- sonder. Or maybe you've watched a thunderstorm roll in and felt a primal hunger for disaster, hoping it would shake up your life. That's called lachesism. Or you were looking through old photos and felt a pang of nostalgia for a time you've never actually experienced. That's anemoia. If you've never heard of these terms before, that's because they didn't exist until John Koenig set out to fill the gaps in our language of emotion. The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows creates beautiful new words that we need but do not yet have, says John Green, bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars. By turns poignant, relatable, and mind-bending.

  • Product Features

    • Suggested age range- Adult
    • Format- Hardcover
    • Product dimensions- 5" W x 7.1" H x 1" D
    • Genre- Reference
    • Publisher- Simon Schuster, Publication date- 11-16-2021
    • Page count- 288
    • ISBN- 9781501153648
  • Shipping & Returns

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    • For complete details, see our Shipping and Returns policies.

Ratings & Reviews

4.7/5

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3 months ago
from Roseville, CA

“Obscure Sorrow” self learning to connect as one

Unlike any book written, this author’s mind (by creating words), has connected & touched a universal audience. He quiets & soothes readers with his stories & visuals that transport us to a new landscape of understanding .him.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

1 year ago

Love

This is a beautifully written book. I love the entries and the definitions. Very connective to the reader and feels great to read. Love this!

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from Colorado

Original and creative

Creative and original, I loved the entries in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. I loved the plays on words, the unique ideas, and the witty way Koenig's brain works. The entire book kept me in rapt attention.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago

A Great Contribution to Personal Development

I looked into this book simply because the author and I share the same first and last names (John Koenig) but was delighted to find that my namesake's book is a great contribution to our language as well as understanding of what it means to be human.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from Plains, PA

Beautiful, breathtaking and at times heartbreaking

Bought this after I read a copy at work, it is one of the most beautiful books I think I have ever seen. The words are like old ghosts that you visit and want to stay with time and again.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from Tx

Very thoughtful

Sometimes we experience emotions that we can’t quite name or describe in its entirety. This pretty little book does an admirable job of capturing those feelings and giving them a name. As a journaler, I like to use these words/descriptions as journal prompts.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from California

If you like feeling sad

With the word sorrow in the title I should have expected a sad book, because that is what this book is. A little depressing for me.

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago

Unparalleled piece of art!

This is a beautiful book in every respect! I'm so glad to see that it was released in print. The elegantly gilded cover design makes for a gorgeous collector's piece. The whimsical descriptions of feelings contained within are far more than simple definitions; paired with surreal grayscale photos, this book is a piece of art. Highly recommended for anyone obsessed with language, linguistics, or the obscure corners of life.

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com