Lexicon: A Novel

· Penguin
4.4
199 reviews
Ebook
400
Pages
Eligible
Ratings and reviews aren’t verified  Learn More

About this ebook

"About as close you can get to the perfect cerebral thriller: searingly smart, ridiculously funny, and fast as hell. Lexicon reads like Elmore Leonard high out of his mind on Snow Crash." —Lev Grossman, New York Times bestselling author of The Magicians and The Magician King

“Best thing I've read in a long time . . . a masterpiece.” —Hugh Howey, New York Times bestselling author of Wool


Stick and stones break bones. Words kill.


They recruited Emily Ruff from the streets. They said it was because she's good with words.

They'll live to regret it.

They said Wil Parke survived something he shouldn't have. But he doesn't remember.

Now they're after him and he doesn't know why.

There's a word, they say. A word that kills.

And they want it back . . .

Ratings and reviews

4.4
199 reviews
Joy Touchstone
August 9, 2014
My biggest problem with this book was the organization of the narrative. It actually starts in the middle of the story and then works backwards to answer the questions about where we are and how and why we got there. The story would have been much better if laid out in a more traditional way. That aside there is decent character development despite the disjointed narrative and the book certainly keeps you reading once you get past the confusion of the first few chapters.
1 person found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Regina Dickerson
January 4, 2015
I rated three at best, didn't hold up to my expectations at all by the critics! Found it way out there, u think something really is going to pop out somewhere, but not for me, I had a hard time trying to finish the book....senseless! Over rated!
Did you find this helpful?
Raymond Ward
May 10, 2015
Ate this up quickly and only afterward noticed some of the holes in the story. Not the most depth in the characters and world, but enough to make them immersive. Thriller sections are genuinely exciting. Definitely recommend.
Did you find this helpful?

About the author

Max Barry is the author of four previous novels, Syrup, Jennifer Government, Company, and Machine Man. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.