Talk:Dictionary of the Khazars

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When was this published?--iFaqeer 16:44, Sep 17, 2004 (UTC)

[edit] A piece moved from Khazars

It was irrelevant there, but may be reused in this article about the book. Mikkalai 01:51, 20 Oct 2004 (UTC)

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The novel is classified as a Fictional Literature and should not be used as formal research. As stated on the back cover of the novel, " . . . Dictionary is the imaginary book of knowledge of the Khazars . . ." Rather than compose a traditional novel or a typical research paper, Pavich creates three seperate dictionaries (Christian, Jewish, and Muslim) that contain various entries of fictional Khazars in history. There are two forms of the book, a male version and a female version. These two forms are "identical save for seventeen crucial lines". This difference, Pavich hopes, will cause a male Dictionary reader to compare editions with a female Dictionary reader.

"Let them sit down for a coffee together and compare the masculine and feminine exemplars of their books. When they compare the short passage in Dr. Dorothea Schultz's last letter, printed in italics in the one and the other exemplar, the book will fit together as a whole, like a game of dominoes, and they will need it no longer. Then let them give the lexicographer a good scolding, but let them be quick about it in the name of what comes next, for what comes next is their affair alone, and it is worth more than any reading."

An excerpt from the "Closing Note on the Usefulness of this Dictionary" as found on page 334 of the novel.