Perfect Agreement – Michael Downing

Most of my colleagues had reacted squeamishly to the Spelling Thing and the rift it caused, like prepubescent children subjected to a film about boys and girls blooming bodies. They didnt like either of the two available options. They said nothing. It was easy to condemn them. I assured myself that their refusal to sid with me proved they were against me; that they were passive and guilty; that not to decide is decide. (52)

Mark Sternum is a grammarianthe guardian of the English language and its usage. His love of order extends into his meticulously constructed life, even though love and family cannot always be made to agree as easily as subject and verb. Downings gimmicky novel revolves around spelling, grammar and corrct usage, as intercalary passages of cutesy grammatical humor are... [via Mattviews]