For most of you reading this post, I know you're think I'm absolutely bonkers: reviewing a grammar book. However, there's a reason why they say 'don't judge a book by its cover'. This book is absolutely raving mad. I mean it the good sense. Of course, Mr R.L. Trask explains punctuation rules and quite succinctly and effortlessly, at that. When I say 'this book is raving mad' is because Mr Trask has an insane sense of humour, which I suppose is a lot like mine.
For instance, on the very first page, the author's bio states that '[Mr Trask] is tired of reading poorly punctuated work, and hopes this book will help.' His way of writing is fresh, humourous in a caustic way and absolutely honest and that's what makes this book brilliant. This is also, what makes the book seem less stuffy even though he is talking about grammar rules!
At one point, I rushed to read a bit, of the book, out to my mother who laughed just the way I had moments ago. The part which was on abbreviations read like this- 'If you do find yourself using etc., for heaven's sake spell it out correctly. This is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase et cetera `and other things', and it is pronounced ET SETRA, and not *EK SETRA. Do not write ghastly things like *ect. or *e.t.c. Such monstrosities make your writing look hopelessly illiterate.'
Isn't he fabulously honest?
Besides that, it is very easy to understand and a damn sight better than those god awful school textbooks. After all, who doesn't want to have fun when learning.
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