Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss

Author: Lynne Truss
ISBN # 1861976127
Publisher: Profile Books
First Published: 2003
209 pages

When social histories come to be written of the first decade of the 21st century, people will note a turning point in 2003 when declining standards of punctuation were reversed. Linguists will record Lynne Truss as the saviour of the semi-colon and the avenging angel of the apostrophe.

As one of those people described in the book as “sticklers”, this really struck a chord with me – I know I’m far from perfect when it comes to punctuation, but I’ve lost count of the times I’ve cringed over a mangled sentence and a massacre of epic proportions stewing innocent punctuation all over the page! Truss manages to make the basic rules of punctuation not only interesting but fun, and anyone who’s ever ruefully shaken their heads over a sign advertising “POTATOE ’ S” will identify with everything the author is trying to say.

A perfect gift for the stickler in your life.

Rating: 7