
Face with Tears of Joy
A Natural History of Emoji
15 July 2025
Territory Rights — Worldwide.
Description
A vibrant exploration of the world's newest language—where it came from, how it works and where it's going
We are surrounded by emoji. They appear in politics, movies, drug deals, our sex lives and more. But emoji’s impact has never been explored in full. Named for the world’s most popular pictogram, Face with Tears of Joy tells the whole story of emoji for the first time.
In this rollicking tech and pop culture history, Keith Houston follows emoji from their birth in 1990s Japan, traces their Western explosion in the 2000s and considers emoji’s ever-expanding lexicon. Along the way, Houston explores vital developments in tech history and reveals the body of technocrats governing this 3,600-character language. He also addresses the eggplants in the room: risqué emojis, controversy and accusations of “selling out”. Finally, readers learn about the future of emoji as some of the language’s pioneers consider what comes next. Face with Tears of Joy is a language- and tech-lover’s delight, stuffed with gloriously nerdy details, illustrations and fun.
Reviews
"[A] fascinatingly geeky and witty history" — Steven Poole, The Guardian
"[A] delightful history" — Hunter Dukes, The Telegraph
"A history of emoji, where they came from and how they came to dominate our discourse is much needed, and Houston is a witty, pacey raconteur… Face with Tears of Joy is a comprehensive and often illuminating read." — Chris Stokel-Walker, New Scientist
"[A] lively exploration. . . Houston is contagiously enthusiastic about ‘vibrant, vital emoji.’ ?? He is also alert to the mixed blessings of the icons’ versatility." — Megan Garber, The Atlantic
"[A]n intelligent, historical account of a cultural phenomenon." — Will Dunn, New Statesman