The Wurd

by Christopher Wilson

This is the story of how language began. One spring evening in a Stone Age encampment, the first word was uttered, followed shortly by the first lie. Before long, someone had told the first story, cracked the first joke, caused the first misunderstanding and sparked off the first row.

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Christopher Wilson has written several novels, including - Gallimauf's Gospel, Baa, Blueglass, Mischief, Fou, The Wurd, The Ballad of Lee Cotton, Nookie, and The Zoo. His work has been translated into several languages, adapted for the stage, long-listed for the Booker Prize, twice shortlisted for the Whitbread Fiction Prize, and shortlisted for the Historical Writers Association Gold Crown.

Chris wrote a doctorate on the psychology of humour at The London School of Economics, worked as a research psychologist at University College London, The London Hospital and The Arts Council, and lectured for ten years at London University Goldsmiths College. He has taught creative writing in prisons, at university and for The Arvon Foundation.

Reviews

[Plurabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first encountered it in a bookshop, I was wary, because of the style. I asked the three friends who were with me whether I should buy it: one said no, another yes, and the third "I dunno". So that didn't help. I bought it because I had refrained from buying the last time I was there, and why not. I'm very happy I did. The style turns the prose to poetry, in addition to being very relevant to the point of the book. Very Clockwork Orangey, in that respect. And its purpose? Well, the book is a philosophical mediation on the effect of language on human beings ("pursins") - especially the negative effects. I find the writer's description of early human culture to be very believable and satisfying, despite the fact that this is (nor does it pretend to be) historically accurate. I appreciated how it illuminated the artificial nature of all cultures (and morals) since the beginning to today. It was also a brave book, I think, because some of it is quite hard to read. It's very well-crafted, leaving me nodding, astounded and delighted with every new section. I would give have given it five stars, only it seemed to lose steam a bit towards the end. The beginning and middle, however, are perfection.

[The Final Chapter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Low 2.Set in prehistoric times with the dawning of language, Wilson offers a wry take on the changes to prehistoric man by the advent of communication. Yet, the phonetic representation of the novel jars and becomes a hindrance, while the author fails to exploit the promise the novel held.