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About the Author

John Koenig created The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows in 2009. What started as a blog grew into a YouTube series and, in 2021, a book. He's a writer and designer whose work spans graphic design, creative writing, and voice acting. Born in Idaho and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, he now lives in Minneapolis with his wife and daughter.

"It’s undeniably thrilling to find words for our strangest feelings…Koenig casts light into lonely corners of human experience…An enchanting book."

—The Washington Post

Hubilance

Cover image for the Hubilance word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Etterath

a graduation cap and gown on a chair

Fardle-Din

Cover image for the Fardle-Din word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Aulasy

a blurry image of a house on the road

Thwit

close-up of a person with forehead wrinkled and holding their head

La Gaudière

Cover image for the La Gaudière word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

A book that poetically defines emotions that we all feel but haven't had the words to express—until now.

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