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Alphabetique, 26 Characteristic Fictions
Take the sumptuousness of Molly Peacock's own #1 bestselling The Paper Garden , the extraordinary creative variety of The Bedside Book of Birds , and the cat-nip-for-language-geeks appeal of Eats, Shoots and Leaves , and wrap it around tales rich with wisdom and humanity, and you get Alphabetique : the most gorgeous gift book of the season.
Molly Peacock has written a new classic, a book of magical tales inspired by the lives of the letters of the alphabet.
Alphabetique , or Tales from the Lives of the Letters is one-of-a-kind, but nevertheless fits perfectly with Molly Peacock's extraordinary body of work, drawing on the same wellsprings of creativity and artistry as her poetry and her nonfiction, especially The Paper Garden . These 26 charming, incisive, sensual stories of love, yearning, and self-discovery are complimented by Kara Kosaka's layered, jewel-bright collages.
Molly Peacock has written a new classic, a book of magical tales inspired by the lives of the letters of the alphabet.
Alphabetique , or Tales from the Lives of the Letters is one-of-a-kind, but nevertheless fits perfectly with Molly Peacock's extraordinary body of work, drawing on the same wellsprings of creativity and artistry as her poetry and her nonfiction, especially The Paper Garden . These 26 charming, incisive, sensual stories of love, yearning, and self-discovery are complimented by Kara Kosaka's layered, jewel-bright collages.
- GenresShort StoriesPoetry
160 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2014
About the author
Molly Peacock
49 books134 followersMolly Peacock is a widely anthologized poet, biographer, memoirist, and New Yorker transplanted to Toronto, her adopted city.
Her newest biography is FLOWER DIARY: IN WHICH MARY HIESTER REID PAINTS, TRAVELS, MARRIES & OPENS A DOOR (ECW Press). "In prose as subtle and enchanting as Mary Hiester Reid's own brushstrokes, FLOWER DIARY paints a compelling portrait of a talented and unjustly neglected paiter. Molly Peacock is unfailingly sensitive and intelligent, and at times deeply moving, as she shows how, despite the shade of domestic life and the unfavorable climate of the times, MHR brought forth her bright blossoms," writes Ross King.
Molly's latest book of poems is THE ANALYST (W.W. Norton & Company) where she takes up a unique task: telling the story of her psychotherapist who survived a stroke by reconnecting with her girlhood talent for painting. Peacock’s latest work of nonfiction is THE PAPER GARDEN: MRS. DELANY BEGINS HER LIFE'S WORK AT 72, a Canadian bestseller, named a Book of the Year by The Economist, The Globe and Mail, The Irish Times, The London Evening Standard and Booklist, published in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. “Like her glorious and multilayered collages, Delany is so vivid a character she almost jumps from the page,” Andrea Wulf wrote in The New York Times Book Review.
Molly ventured into short fiction with ALPHABETIQUE: 26 CHARACTERISTIC FICTIONS magically illustrated by Kara Kosaka, published by McClelland & Stewart. Her memoir, PARADISE, PIECE BY PIECE, about her choice not to have children, is now an e-book.
Molly is featured in MY SO-CALLED SELFISH LIFE, a documentary about choosing to be childfree by Trixifilms, and she is one of the subjects of Renee McCormick’s documentary, A LIFE WITHOUT CONVENTION, https://vimeo.com/178503153. As a New Yorker, she helped create Poetry in Motion on the subways and buses; in Toronto she founded THE BEST CANADIAN POETRY IN ENGLISH. Molly is the widow of Michael Groden, a James Joyce scholar.
Her newest biography is FLOWER DIARY: IN WHICH MARY HIESTER REID PAINTS, TRAVELS, MARRIES & OPENS A DOOR (ECW Press). "In prose as subtle and enchanting as Mary Hiester Reid's own brushstrokes, FLOWER DIARY paints a compelling portrait of a talented and unjustly neglected paiter. Molly Peacock is unfailingly sensitive and intelligent, and at times deeply moving, as she shows how, despite the shade of domestic life and the unfavorable climate of the times, MHR brought forth her bright blossoms," writes Ross King.
Molly's latest book of poems is THE ANALYST (W.W. Norton & Company) where she takes up a unique task: telling the story of her psychotherapist who survived a stroke by reconnecting with her girlhood talent for painting. Peacock’s latest work of nonfiction is THE PAPER GARDEN: MRS. DELANY BEGINS HER LIFE'S WORK AT 72, a Canadian bestseller, named a Book of the Year by The Economist, The Globe and Mail, The Irish Times, The London Evening Standard and Booklist, published in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. “Like her glorious and multilayered collages, Delany is so vivid a character she almost jumps from the page,” Andrea Wulf wrote in The New York Times Book Review.
Molly ventured into short fiction with ALPHABETIQUE: 26 CHARACTERISTIC FICTIONS magically illustrated by Kara Kosaka, published by McClelland & Stewart. Her memoir, PARADISE, PIECE BY PIECE, about her choice not to have children, is now an e-book.
Molly is featured in MY SO-CALLED SELFISH LIFE, a documentary about choosing to be childfree by Trixifilms, and she is one of the subjects of Renee McCormick’s documentary, A LIFE WITHOUT CONVENTION, https://vimeo.com/178503153. As a New Yorker, she helped create Poetry in Motion on the subways and buses; in Toronto she founded THE BEST CANADIAN POETRY IN ENGLISH. Molly is the widow of Michael Groden, a James Joyce scholar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 16, 2021
What an imagination! Not everyone will appreciate the originality of this book, but I loved it! Twenty-six short stories with each tale focusing on a character of the alphabet. So many poetic lines! So much word play! So much talent! So much humour! So clever! So much fun during these pandemic times. Also enjoyed the 26 illustrations by Kara Kosaka.
If I may quote from Molly Peacock's story "The Birth of a Genuine Article" which features the character "A": "When she got older, she loved nothing better than to arrange an assortment of letters and cap them with herself, climbing up an I, then a D, then to an E to send an idea into the world." (p.2)
Yes, a book filled with many brilliant thoughts and IDEAS!!
If I may quote from Molly Peacock's story "The Birth of a Genuine Article" which features the character "A": "When she got older, she loved nothing better than to arrange an assortment of letters and cap them with herself, climbing up an I, then a D, then to an E to send an idea into the world." (p.2)
Yes, a book filled with many brilliant thoughts and IDEAS!!
April 23, 2015
I enjoyed the originality of the book and the new words the author wove into each story. A collection of short stories that were enjoyable. I often find it hard to read a short one and move on but liked how the repetition of letters, often alliteration, created commonality between stories. W and C were two of my favourites. Clever. Quick.
January 9, 2015
I definitely see a reread of this happening in the near future! Great ideas, and unprecedented creativity, but I just couldn't devote the time and thought that it deserved. Next time my highlighters and sticky notes will be eagerly poised!
February 8, 2015
As adorable as it is charming, have a dictionary by your side while enjoying this book. Peacock's verbiage is titilating to any lover of language, and her joy for words is infectious.
August 27, 2017
I didn't know exactly what to expect from this book, and can't decide if I like it or not. I thought the concept was interesting and could've been great if well-executed. It's too whimsical for my taste (the personification of each letter was so over-the-top that it was difficult to imagine these things existing as living beings in the world) and besides, most of the letters/characters are quite boring (why so many husbands, wives, kids? The most unique character is a maple tree). The author is playful with language and you'll probably need a dictionary handy—not that this is a bad thing. But it seems like a half-hearted effort compared to the Oulipian works that I've read.
I love books that incorporate artwork, but this one was awful. Each letter has a collage that drips with kitsch—horses, flowers, cats, butterflies, rainbows, more flowers, damask, ballerinas, hearts. Can't decide if target market is 10-year-old girls or 90-year-old ladies.
I love books that incorporate artwork, but this one was awful. Each letter has a collage that drips with kitsch—horses, flowers, cats, butterflies, rainbows, more flowers, damask, ballerinas, hearts. Can't decide if target market is 10-year-old girls or 90-year-old ladies.
May 31, 2017
Strange but alluring. It reads quickly but stays with you.
January 31, 2020
Not the kind of book I would usually pick up, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. I found it to be a sliw read for the size of the book due to the author's creative of alliteration and exotic vocabulary, but was impressed with how much character depth was developed in the letters featured in each tale.
November 6, 2014
Originally reviewed on One More Page...
[I received a copy of this book from its publisher Random House of Canada. This does not affect my opinion of the novel.]
Once I read Molly Peacock’s dedication — “To all those who imagine alternative lives” — I knew that I would enjoy her new book Alphabetique: 26 Characteristic Fictions.
Presented as 26 short stories, Peacock imagines the lives of each letter in the alphabet as if they were all alive. From “C, the Softie” to “E’s Encyclopedia of Emotions” and “R and her Great Egret,” these individual letters, under Peacock’s wing, have the capacity to feel real, actualized emotions and live full anthropomorphic lives.
Weaved throughout this unique and inventive concept is Peacock’s lyrical, poetic prose and deft commentary. One of my favourite lines from the book comes from “C, the Softie.” In the story, “c” learns that not all feelings can be translated into words, that “confusion is necessary before conclusion.” Peacock elaborates,
“Not everything charms into words instantly. Some things whinny inside you or skitter out as hooves of colour and later clang like horseshoes against a forge. Some things can’t be crammed into a concept. They just have to be cried.” (page 12)
This is just one of the many poignant statements Peacock makes in Alphabetique. As someone who isn’t always able to express their emotions so beautifully, these small details and observations added an extra element to the book for me to admire and love.
Not all of the stories are so serious though: “While Jiggle Juggles, J Makes Jam” is a pleasure to read out loud due to its abundant alliteration (a device that is used throughout this delightful book); “O’s Full Circle” is a sexy story about a letter learning to feel comfortable in her own body; “T’s Diary” reveals a self portrait that records much more than vanity. As a collection, these stories are wonderful reads for the dreamers and language lovers out there. They are smart, well-written, and have a lot of heart. Some read like poems while others are fairy tale-like. I would be surprised to find someone who doesn’t love it.
Verdict: An impressive collection of short stories that wowed me. The stories put a smile on my face with its intelligence and wittiness. Go ahead and read it – you won’t be disappointed.
Read if: You’re a dreamer, love fairy tales and short stories, and are ready to go on a whimsical, smart, alliterative journey. If you’ve ever wondered what each letter of the alphabet would be like if they were capable of thinking and feeling.
[I received a copy of this book from its publisher Random House of Canada. This does not affect my opinion of the novel.]
Once I read Molly Peacock’s dedication — “To all those who imagine alternative lives” — I knew that I would enjoy her new book Alphabetique: 26 Characteristic Fictions.
Presented as 26 short stories, Peacock imagines the lives of each letter in the alphabet as if they were all alive. From “C, the Softie” to “E’s Encyclopedia of Emotions” and “R and her Great Egret,” these individual letters, under Peacock’s wing, have the capacity to feel real, actualized emotions and live full anthropomorphic lives.
Weaved throughout this unique and inventive concept is Peacock’s lyrical, poetic prose and deft commentary. One of my favourite lines from the book comes from “C, the Softie.” In the story, “c” learns that not all feelings can be translated into words, that “confusion is necessary before conclusion.” Peacock elaborates,
“Not everything charms into words instantly. Some things whinny inside you or skitter out as hooves of colour and later clang like horseshoes against a forge. Some things can’t be crammed into a concept. They just have to be cried.” (page 12)
This is just one of the many poignant statements Peacock makes in Alphabetique. As someone who isn’t always able to express their emotions so beautifully, these small details and observations added an extra element to the book for me to admire and love.
Not all of the stories are so serious though: “While Jiggle Juggles, J Makes Jam” is a pleasure to read out loud due to its abundant alliteration (a device that is used throughout this delightful book); “O’s Full Circle” is a sexy story about a letter learning to feel comfortable in her own body; “T’s Diary” reveals a self portrait that records much more than vanity. As a collection, these stories are wonderful reads for the dreamers and language lovers out there. They are smart, well-written, and have a lot of heart. Some read like poems while others are fairy tale-like. I would be surprised to find someone who doesn’t love it.
Verdict: An impressive collection of short stories that wowed me. The stories put a smile on my face with its intelligence and wittiness. Go ahead and read it – you won’t be disappointed.
Read if: You’re a dreamer, love fairy tales and short stories, and are ready to go on a whimsical, smart, alliterative journey. If you’ve ever wondered what each letter of the alphabet would be like if they were capable of thinking and feeling.
November 8, 2014
Is it too early to be thinking of holiday gift giving? Not if you consider there's only about forty-six weeks to the most wonderful time of the year. And, if I may be so bold to predict, Alphabetique by Molly Peacock is in my opinion going to be one of the most gifted books this holiday season, not only because it is so beautifully written, but because it's appeal spans across the globe to a variety of book lovers.
A literary genius, Alphabetique will appeal to readers who love the satirical style of Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Inspired by the lives of the letters of the alphabet, this book is an artistry of creative writing, infused with magical humour, poetry and beautifully visual imagery. The absolute beauty is Molly Peacock's ability to illustrate the true magic of brevity, creating twenty six extraordinary stories in a just a few pages.
“Not everything charms into words instantly.”
One of my fave stories is B, the fonts gathering for breakfast in the big house before strolling to the studios in the woods where they do their work. The design geek in me, found it adorable, relatable and the quirky humour just so touching.
Full review: Alphabetique by Molly Peacock http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2014/...
A literary genius, Alphabetique will appeal to readers who love the satirical style of Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Inspired by the lives of the letters of the alphabet, this book is an artistry of creative writing, infused with magical humour, poetry and beautifully visual imagery. The absolute beauty is Molly Peacock's ability to illustrate the true magic of brevity, creating twenty six extraordinary stories in a just a few pages.
“Not everything charms into words instantly.”
One of my fave stories is B, the fonts gathering for breakfast in the big house before strolling to the studios in the woods where they do their work. The design geek in me, found it adorable, relatable and the quirky humour just so touching.
Full review: Alphabetique by Molly Peacock http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2014/...
November 15, 2014
Read the full review and an author Q&A on Worn Pages and Ink.
I really liked this book. I can't say that I loved it, but it was cute, fun, and extraordinarily unique. I've never read anything quite like it. Alphabetique brings our alphabet to life, one letter at a time, through quirky stories and breathtaking images. I can't say that I loved it because, as I've stated before, I'm really not a short story person. I enjoy reading new stories like this just to try something new, and I was definitely pleasantly surprised. Alphabatique will have a special place in my home where it can be displayed, whether that's on my coffee table, or at the forefront of my bookshelves. It's a book to be looked at, to be touched, and to be studied with an artful eye. Each story can be read individually, but it is best read, um, alphabetically (ha!). The illustrations add a sense of life to the stories, giving you a peek into each letter's existence. It's printed on lovely paper and is full of colour. It's vibrant and beautiful. The stories are light-hearted and enjoyable, but there isn't a whole lot of depth. Very charming!
I really liked this book. I can't say that I loved it, but it was cute, fun, and extraordinarily unique. I've never read anything quite like it. Alphabetique brings our alphabet to life, one letter at a time, through quirky stories and breathtaking images. I can't say that I loved it because, as I've stated before, I'm really not a short story person. I enjoy reading new stories like this just to try something new, and I was definitely pleasantly surprised. Alphabatique will have a special place in my home where it can be displayed, whether that's on my coffee table, or at the forefront of my bookshelves. It's a book to be looked at, to be touched, and to be studied with an artful eye. Each story can be read individually, but it is best read, um, alphabetically (ha!). The illustrations add a sense of life to the stories, giving you a peek into each letter's existence. It's printed on lovely paper and is full of colour. It's vibrant and beautiful. The stories are light-hearted and enjoyable, but there isn't a whole lot of depth. Very charming!
November 17, 2014
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Alphabetique is one of the most unique books I read in 2014. It’s a collection of twenty-six short stories, one for each letter of the alphabet. Which would make it unique enough on its own. But Molly Peacock takes it one step further by making each letter the subject of the stories themselves.
The stories all have clever titles like “E’s Encyclopedia of Emotions” (a personal favourite) and “While Jiggle Juggles, J Makes Jam” and none are longer than a few pages. It’s an impressive exercise in creative writing and one that demonstrates what a strong command Peacock has of English vocabulary and language.
It may not the best book to curl up with. The stories, small, bite-sized length, make it ideal for stolen minutes, when you just need a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. You can read and enjoy “C, the Softie” and then quickly get back to whatever you’re doing. Each story is also accompanied by beautiful illustrations, which would make it a great gift for the book lover in your life.
Alphabetique is one of the most unique books I read in 2014. It’s a collection of twenty-six short stories, one for each letter of the alphabet. Which would make it unique enough on its own. But Molly Peacock takes it one step further by making each letter the subject of the stories themselves.
The stories all have clever titles like “E’s Encyclopedia of Emotions” (a personal favourite) and “While Jiggle Juggles, J Makes Jam” and none are longer than a few pages. It’s an impressive exercise in creative writing and one that demonstrates what a strong command Peacock has of English vocabulary and language.
It may not the best book to curl up with. The stories, small, bite-sized length, make it ideal for stolen minutes, when you just need a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. You can read and enjoy “C, the Softie” and then quickly get back to whatever you’re doing. Each story is also accompanied by beautiful illustrations, which would make it a great gift for the book lover in your life.
October 21, 2014
Super charming, whimsical and imaginative. The stories range from sweet to sad to sexy and pretty well every emotion/mood you can come up with. Those letters certainly have interesting lives! I especially enjoyed seeing some of the characters cross into other stories like in the letter T's story where several of the others visit her in the park. The play on words is somewhere between poetry and pun. My favorites were the lusty F, the bittersweet R and the young W lovers. After each story I had to take a moment to contemplate what I had just read. It is a book that will make you think. The illustrations are beautiful and really add a lot to each story. The whole book is very pretty and it would be a nice gift for anyone who appreciates inventive and playful language.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
November 11, 2014
(I received this book via First Reads)
As someone who actually enjoys grammar, I was really looking forward to read this book and I was not disappointed. The 26 tales (one for each letter of the alphabet) are super short (4-5 pages) and very fun. Every single one of them is interesting, written in a metaphorical kind of way. It's one of those books that I believe one should read slowly, even though it is quite easy to go through the whole thing in an hour or so. Reading one story every morning with a cup of coffee or every night before bed is the perfect way to savor this short book. I recommend it to everyone who loves puns, beautiful images (including literal ones, the drawings are gorgeous) and fables. 3½ stars - very nice!
As someone who actually enjoys grammar, I was really looking forward to read this book and I was not disappointed. The 26 tales (one for each letter of the alphabet) are super short (4-5 pages) and very fun. Every single one of them is interesting, written in a metaphorical kind of way. It's one of those books that I believe one should read slowly, even though it is quite easy to go through the whole thing in an hour or so. Reading one story every morning with a cup of coffee or every night before bed is the perfect way to savor this short book. I recommend it to everyone who loves puns, beautiful images (including literal ones, the drawings are gorgeous) and fables. 3½ stars - very nice!
February 7, 2015
A delightful collection of 26 short stories. This is an ABC book for adults that is complete with a beautiful collage illustration for every story. Molly Peacocks stories are a playful - some serious and some silly - imaginings as if letters of the alphabet were personified and had stories to tell. They are stories of love, longing, coming-of-age and even existential musings. Peacock's wordplay is delightfully clever. Favourites of mine were the stories for - A, C, P, T and Xs existential musings while contemplating lipstick choices.
February 11, 2015
It is rare to find a book to cherish and return to in our consumption filled culture, but Alphabetique by Molly Peacock is just such a treasure. In this beautiful collection of words and images, each letter of the English alphabet is interpreted with a persona that entertains, yet enlightens its readers with the observations and inquires only a poet of Peacock's caliber could summon with her pen. Buy this book for your bedside, and give it to others in the spirit of generosity with which it was created.
February 24, 2015
This is really a delightful book. Peacock takes each letter of the alphabet and infuses them with a personality that she showcases in a little vignette. It took me a little while to read this because some of the vignettes are quite poignant and occasionally I had the feels. Peacock's stories were always evocative and filled with wonderful chewy words and literary constructs.
Each of Peacock's alphabet stories are accompanied by a beautiful illustrated collage created by Kara Kosaka.
Highly recommend.
Each of Peacock's alphabet stories are accompanied by a beautiful illustrated collage created by Kara Kosaka.
Highly recommend.
July 9, 2016
Absolutely brilliant. This is a series of short stories about each letter of the alphabet. Not just *using* each letter, but creating an entire character (see what I did there?) out of each one, in lovely brilliant prose. And the book's richness is doubled by the incorporation of the beautiful lush collage art that illustrates each little story. I think these stories would be great for reading aloud with a group of friends. The right friends with the right appreciation.
December 2, 2016
This was a fun read. There were stories that I enjoyed reading more than others, particularly those that took on more of a grammatical angle. As I was reading the stories, I kept hoping there would be more in that style. Each story was unique and brought a smile to my face so all was not lost.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
November 1, 2014
I won a copy of this wonderful book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This is such a beautiful little book. I really enjoyed all the fantastic stories. This is a fun and fast read which is perfect for a cozy afternoon on a cold winter day!
This is such a beautiful little book. I really enjoyed all the fantastic stories. This is a fun and fast read which is perfect for a cozy afternoon on a cold winter day!
October 7, 2014
Quirky. Literary. Fun. Poignant. Molly Peacock is an amazing writer.
November 1, 2014
Full review on my blog here:http://padfootslibrary.blogspot.ca/20...
November 1, 2014
i spent a few days and nights reading this book and really enjoyed it. was interesting and entertaining!The writing is captivating and unique!
December 4, 2014
I loved these 26 tales, like fairy tales for every day.
December 8, 2014
So lovely. The whole premise of this book - that each letter has its own story to tell - is just charming, but it's the illustrations that elevate this to the next level. Amazing.
April 23, 2015
Interesting concept and great use of language, but I had to read it in bursts as the constant alliteration got irritating after a while.
December 30, 2015
very enjoyable language exercise;
Read
June 30, 2017a lovely idea and I enjoyed the stories I did read but it was too cute to read all 26 stories
Read
September 15, 2018I liked two or three of the stories I read, but I was finding it tough to go back and read more the further I got in. Cool experiment. I do admire authors that try something different or challenging.
April 15, 2017
These fictions, these stories, these poetic prose pieces, these prose poems, are completely gorgeous and inspirational from start to finish. I wanted to own this book (which I no longer do much) because it is so gorgeous (there are beautiful art pieces for each letter too). I want to feel it, look at it, read it, and continue to learn. Absolutely perfect.
The first story BEGINS beautifully, with much more to follow.
"Nobody much noticed her as a child. Nobody's supposed to notice a small a. Born an athlete, she grew up on long slender legs to her point, becoming a capital of quiet beauty. Now A was pregnant, ascending the Alps with her husband THE on their very last climb for a while—since even A-1 members of the Alpine Club never mountaineer in the third trimester."
The first story BEGINS beautifully, with much more to follow.
"Nobody much noticed her as a child. Nobody's supposed to notice a small a. Born an athlete, she grew up on long slender legs to her point, becoming a capital of quiet beauty. Now A was pregnant, ascending the Alps with her husband THE on their very last climb for a while—since even A-1 members of the Alpine Club never mountaineer in the third trimester."
April 16, 2017
I loved this book. So imaginative and different.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews