Words aren’t just tools for communication—they are magical. They have the power to captivate, to inspire, to make us laugh or cry, and to help us understand the world around us in ways that nothing else can. Shashi Tharoor, one of the most skilled and articulate writers of our time, takes us on a fascinating journey into the wonders of the English language in A Wonderland of Words: Around the Word in 101 Essays, published by Aleph Book Company. Through this collection of essays, Tharoor brings to life the richness and complexity of English, revealing how much more there is to the language than meets the eye.

The Power of Words

For Tharoor, words are much more than just a means of expressing ideas—they shape the way we think, the way we see the world, and the way we interact with one another. They can change our moods, alter perceptions, and even influence how we feel about ourselves and others. In A Wonderland of Words, Tharoor celebrates this power, showing how language can be both playful and profound.

He delves into the way words can evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and express ideas so elegantly that they leave a lasting impression. The magic of words, Tharoor argues, is that they can transform even the most mundane moments into something extraordinary. Whether it’s the way a well-crafted sentence can make you laugh or the way a carefully chosen word can bring tears to your eyes, words have a unique ability to move us.

The Quirks of English

Anyone who has spent time with the English language knows that it’s full of quirks, contradictions, and inconsistencies. English isn’t always logical, and its rules often seem to be more like suggestions than anything else. Tharoor embraces this messiness, showing us how these very quirks make English so fascinating.

In his essays, Tharoor takes on topics like grammar, punctuation, and spelling, explaining how these often-confusing aspects of the language are part of what makes it so rich and varied. He explores the rules, breaks them down, and explains how they evolved, making them feel less like a burden and more like something to appreciate. He doesn’t just dissect these rules—he celebrates them, showing how they give structure to the chaos that is the English language.

Linguistic Oddities and Fun Facts

One of the most fun parts of A Wonderland of Words is its dive into the lesser-known features of English, from acronyms and oxymorons to contronyms (words that mean the opposite of themselves) and bacronyms (where words are invented by assigning a meaning to an existing word). Tharoor shines a light on these linguistic oddities, giving readers a deeper appreciation for how flexible and playful the language can be.

He also explores the quirks of idioms, metaphors, and similes—figures of speech that can turn a simple sentence into something striking and memorable. Tharoor shows us how these devices help us express ideas more creatively and make our communication more colorful. With a mix of humor and insight, he brings to life the beauty and complexity of these tools that many of us take for granted.

English Around the World

English is spoken all over the globe, and with each new region comes its own twist on the language. Tharoor embraces this diversity, showing how English has been molded by different cultures, regions, and histories. From the variations between British and American English to the unique flavor of Indian English, Tharoor explores how English adapts to the needs of different communities while still maintaining its core identity.

He also brings attention to the humorous ways in which English is misused or misunderstood across the world, from funny translation errors to odd word choices. Tharoor doesn’t just point out these mistakes; he highlights how they show the creativity and flexibility of language, making it clear that mistakes are part of what makes the language so alive.

Great Writers and Their Craft

Tharoor doesn’t just explore the technical aspects of language; he also celebrates its artistic potential. The book takes readers on a journey through the works of some of the greatest writers in history, from Shakespeare to Orwell, and shows how they used language to shape their stories and ideas. Tharoor admires how these masters of language were able to take words and turn them into something far greater than the sum of their parts.

Through their work, we see how words can be used not just to tell a story, but to create entire worlds, to challenge societal norms, and to express the full range of human emotion. Tharoor reminds us that language is not just about rules—it’s also about creativity, imagination, and the beauty that emerges when words are carefully chosen and skillfully crafted.

Accessible, Humorous, and Passionate

What makes A Wonderland of Words such a delightful read is how Tharoor combines his deep knowledge of language with a genuine passion for the subject. His writing is engaging, approachable, and often humorous, making complex linguistic ideas easy to understand and fun to explore. Whether you’re someone who loves language or just someone curious about how it all works, Tharoor’s accessible style makes this book a joy to read.

It’s clear that Tharoor has a deep love for language, and that enthusiasm is infectious. As he explains the intricacies of punctuation, grammar, and the evolution of words, you can’t help but be caught up in his excitement. His humor and wit make the book enjoyable for anyone, regardless of their level of expertise with the English language.

A Must-Read for Language Lovers

In A Wonderland of Words, Shashi Tharoor offers a fascinating exploration of the English language, mixing humor, history, and personal insights to create a book that’s both educational and entertaining. Whether you’re a lover of language or simply someone who wants to better understand how words shape our world, this book has something for you.

Tharoor’s deep love for language shines through on every page, making this book a must-read for anyone who enjoys the magic and power of words. A Wonderland of Words is not just an exploration of language—it’s a celebration of how words connect us, move us, and make us who we are.

About The Author
Shashi Tharoor is the bestselling author of twenty-six books, both fiction and non-fiction. His latest books are The Less You Preach, The More You Learn (co-authored with Joseph Zacharias), Ambedkar: A Life, and Pride, Prejudice, and Punditry: The Essential Shashi Tharoor.

He is a former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and a former Minister of State for Human Resource Development, and Minister of State for External Affairs in the Government of India. In his fourth term, he is the longest-serving member of the Lok Sabha from Thiruvananthapuram and has chaired Parliament’s Standing Committees on External Affairs and on Information Technology. He has won numerous literary awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Books (non-fiction), Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and Crossword Lifetime Achievement Award.