Miss Thistlebottom’s Hobgoblins: The Careful Writer’s Guide to the Taboos, Bugbears and Outmoded Rules of English Usage by Theodore Menline Bernstein (PDF)

Description

The old adage, rules are made to be broken has never been as well defended as in MISS THISTLEBOTTOM’S HOBGOBLINS. Throughout the book, Bernstein asserts that we have been indoctrinated with English usage rules that lack flexibility and evoke fear, confusion and frustration in writers. There are times when splitting an infinitive or ending a sentence with a preposition makes sense. Through a series of one-sided correspondences with Bertha Thistlebottom, an archetypal grade school English teacher, Bernstein addresses the community of rule mongering sticklers who have tried to squeeze the English language into a set of inflexible rules and outmoded definitions that only serve to stifle its growth and paralyze writers. In addition to his letters to Miss Thistlebottom, there are scores of entries where Bernstein debunks the rules of yesteryear with wit and intelligence and illustrates how to write effectively—without the worry of hobgoblins.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I second the other reviewers in their praise for Bernstein’s usage and style advice. I think that purchasers should be warned about production errors, though.This book was originally published in 1971 by Farrar, Strauss & Giroux. The paperback version currently in print comes from Centro Books and bears the date 2006. The 2006 edition contains quite a few typos, about one every ten pages. I can’t believe that the 1971 edition was that sloppily edited. I suspect that the new publisher scanned a copy of the old book into its computer, and then was a bit careless about checking the accuracy of the scan. For example, in a two-column list of absolute participles, the left-hand column has “beginn” and the right-hand column next to it has “ingowing”. They should have said “beginning” and “owing”.These typos don’t usually interfere with understanding the material. They’re just an ongoing annoyance in a book that ought to manifest the highest standards of correctness.

⭐bernstein had a great sensibility as an editor to help writers stay true to the rules of grammar and the meanings of words while keeping a colloquial tone. even if some of his prescriptive rules seem dated, his advice is always worth reading and considering.

⭐Interesting and gives insight to my writing

⭐Purchased this to replace my original copy that I used as a writer-editor. Love both the charm and wit!

⭐If you like to read sometimes obscure rules for writing well, this book is an adjunct to Bernstein’s The Careful Writer.

⭐great read.

⭐Anyone who writes about grammar on Facebook should read Bernstein first.

⭐One by one, Bernstein goes through the rules given to many people “in Eighth Grade” and demolishes them: “Never split an nfinitive,” “Never end a sentence with a preposition,” and so on. He also lists a great many words and phrases and disucsses their points of usage. His categories are “Witchcraft in Words,” “Syntax Scarecrows,” “Imps of Idioms,” and “Spooks of Style.” He discusses each case with both light humour precision of meaning.Theodore M. Bernstein not only reviews shibboleths of English usage but also includes a response from his fictional Grade 8 teacher, Miss Thistlebottom, writing more in sorrow than in anger.The encyclopedic “The Careful Writer” is my favourite of Bernstein’s books, but this one is certainly worth reading.

⭐Very happy with purchase

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