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I Thought So: A Book of Epigrams

Michael Lipsey
Lost Coast Press (2008)
ISBN 9781882897940
Reviewed by Sue Garrett for RebeccasReads (9/08)

“If you enjoy seeing things from a different angle, then this is the book for you.” As soon as I reached this line on the back cover of “I Thought So: A Book of Epigrams”, I eagerly turned the book over and began reading.  I wasn’t certain what an epigram was, but that line certainly described me.  Turning to the introduction, I found the author’s definition of an epigram: “An epigram is a few words equaling many, a distilled thought.”  Oh, okay (?).  Reading further I reached the first epigram:

“It is easy to forgive an insult,
But harder to forget one.”
Imagine my surprise to discover that I have read and enjoyed epigrams for years.  I had just never had a name for them.

Author Michael Lipsey sorts his collection of original epigrams into 26 categories, ranging from attitude and food to death and love.  Although I enjoyed many in each category, I found that many of my favorites were grouped in the same few categories, such as manners, attitude, and morality.  I also found that, while many epigrams caused an “Aahh,” my reaction to several others was a heartfelt “Huh?”  To be fair, I will share a favorite and a non-favorite.  First a favorite:

“An apology that is followed with a justification
is no apology at all.”
Followed by a non-favorite:
“There are three halves to anything
that is done by halves.”

If I were asked to recommend changes or adjustments to this book, I believe they would be minor changes.  I did feel that the author spent too much time with the introduction, although it was interesting reading.  He also included an afterward, containing advice to the reader as to how to write their own epigrams, and a section titled, “Suggestions for Further Reading.”  I also feel that $11.95 is too much for this book, which has 141 pages, but is smaller in overall size than a normal paperback book. 

Overall, I did thoroughly enjoy this book.  I appreciated the fact that this book contains entirely original work, and I found many entries that I wrote down to share with others.  The fact that I had non-favorites is not unusual; after all, they can’t all be favorites!  Finally, I owe the author my thanks.  I now know that the signature file that I “invented” is actually an epigram.  So I will end with my own original epigram:

“Learn to laugh at yourself…
it takes the fun out of it for everybody else.”

     

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