Lexicon: A Novel

Max Barry

Jun 2013 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

"About as close you can get to the perfect cerebral thriller: searingly smart, ridiculously funny, and fast as hell. Lexicon reads like Elmore Leonard high out of his mind on Snow Crash." —Lev Grossman, New York Times bestselling author of The Magicians and The Magician King

“Best thing I've read in a long time . . . a masterpiece.” —Hugh Howey, New York Times bestselling author of Wool

Stick and stones break bones. Words kill.

They recruited Emily Ruff from the streets. They said it was because she's good with words.

They'll live to regret it.

They said Wil Parke survived something he shouldn't have. But he doesn't remember.

Now they're after him and he doesn't know why.

There's a word, they say. A word that kills.

And they want it back . . .

Ratings and reviews

My biggest problem with this book was the organization of the narrative. It actually starts in the middle of the story and then works backwards to answer the questions about where we are and how and why we got there. The story would have been much better if laid out in a more traditional way. That aside there is decent character development despite the disjointed narrative and the book certainly keeps you reading once you get past the confusion of the first few chapters.

I rated three at best, didn't hold up to my expectations at all by the critics! Found it way out there, u think something really is going to pop out somewhere, but not for me, I had a hard time trying to finish the book....senseless! Over rated!

Ate this up quickly and only afterward noticed some of the holes in the story. Not the most depth in the characters and world, but enough to make them immersive. Thriller sections are genuinely exciting. Definitely recommend.

About the author

Max Barry is the author of four previous novels, Syrup, Jennifer Government, Company, and Machine Man. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.