The Lover's Dictionary: A Love Story in 185 Definitions

David Levithan's 'The Lover's Dictionary' is a literary novel for adult and mature young adult readers, not a children's book. It tells the story of a romantic relationship from beginning to end, using dictionary definitions as its narrative structure. Each entry, from 'basis' to 'zeal,' offers a snapshot of a feeling, an event, or an observation within the couple's journey. It's a contemplative and often poignant exploration of intimacy, communication, and the enduring nature of love, suitable for readers aged 16 and up who appreciate experimental storytelling.

basis, n. There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you're in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself. If the moment doesn't pass, that's it―you're done. And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it's even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover's face. How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.