Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Two New Books Explore American Divides and the Evolution of Language
Imagine two books that are like looking through different windows into America.
One book, 'Paper Girl,' is like visiting a friend's hometown and seeing how people feel about politics, why they don't talk to each other anymore, and how they feel lonely.
It talks about jobs and big changes that make life hard for many families.
The other book, 'Unabridged,' is like visiting an old library and learning about dictionaries, those big books with all the words.
It tells stories about how people used to argue about spelling words and how online changes and computers like AI might change dictionaries forever.
It also talks about how dictionaries get involved in arguments about what words mean and how we should use them.
Beth Macy's 'Paper Girl' explores social and political divisions in her hometown of Urbana, Ohio.
Macy's memoir also highlights the prevalence of loneliness in contemporary America and critiques the crushing economic pressure on the middle class.
Stefan Fatsis' 'Unabridged' delves into the history and evolving role of dictionaries, particularly Merriam-Webster.
The book examines how technology, including AI, and cultural debates are impacting the English language and the definition of words.
Both books are noted for their insightful, albeit different, examinations of American life and culture.
- Who
- Beth Macy and Stefan Fatsis
- What
- Publication of two new books, 'Paper Girl' and 'Unabridged', examining American societal divisions and the changing landscape of language, respectively.
- When
- Recent publication (implied by review context).
- Where
- United States (for both subjects).
- Why
- To explore contemporary American social and political issues and the historical and future trajectory of language and its documentation.
Analysis of "Paper Girl"
Analysis of "Unabridged"
Focus and Strengths
Analysis of "Paper Girl"
Beth Macy's "Paper Girl" is praised for its deep dive into the loneliness and political polarization in her Ohio hometown, offering a rare civility and a compelling argument that America's middle class is being crushed by the ultrarich. The inclusion of Silas, a young trans man, is seen as illustrating the challenges for ambitious young adults.
Analysis of "Unabridged"
Stefan Fatsis' "Unabridged" is an engaging history of dictionaries, particularly Merriam-Webster, with curious particulars and amusing anecdotes. Its strengths lie in its discrete chapters covering topics like AI's impact on English and its role in culture wars, though it lacks a strong narrative spine.
Criticisms
Analysis of "Paper Girl"
Some critics find Macy's blame of Trump for political polarization too simplistic and her conversations with the "MAGA world" not entirely fruitful.
Analysis of "Unabridged"
While "Unabridged" is enjoyed for its insightful content, some reviewers felt it would be better appreciated by dipping into chapters rather than reading cover-to-cover and that it could have benefited from more focus on office life at Merriam-Webster.
- Paper Girl Author
- Beth Macy
- Paper Girl Subject
- Social portrait and memoir of contemporary America, focusing on political polarization and loneliness in Urbana, Ohio.
- Unabridged Author
- Stefan Fatsis
- Unabridged Subject
- History and evolution of dictionaries, with a focus on Merriam-Webster and the impact of technology.
- Unabridged Historical Detail
- Noah Webster's early spelling reforms (e.g., 'soop', 'spunge').
- Unabridged Contemporary Issues
- Merriam-Webster's handling of controversial words and the influence of AI.