I can't understand this sentence...

[layla0302]

Hi, let me ask one question..

"What is this book of yours I've been hearing about?"

in this sentence, I can't understand the purpose of "what"...

I think the sentence can be fine without it, I mean

"Is this book of yours I've been hearing about?" <- This sentence has the same meaning as the sentence above...Am I wrong? Explain please..

Thanks you

[sumon.]

Not a teacher
Hi layla
"What is this book of yours I've been hearing about?"
In my(poor) view, it is not a correct sentence as what is a questioning pronoun and this is indicating the book. you are asking someone about the book and telling which book that does not make good sense.

Let's wait for our teacher's responses.

[emsr2d2]

Hi, let me ask one question..

"What is this book of yours I've been hearing about?"

in this sentence, I can't understand the purpose of "what"...

I think the sentence can be fine without it, I mean

"Is this book of yours I've been hearing about?" <- This sentence has the same meaning as the sentence above...Am I wrong? Explain please..

Thanks you

No. It means "Recently I have been hearing about a book you have written but I know nothing about it. Please tell me what those people are talking about."

We use "this" sometimes in a rather strange way.

What's this scandal you're apparently involved in?
Who's this girl I keep hearing that you're dating?
There's this gorgeous pair of shoes I want to buy but I have no money.

[layla0302]

No. It means "Recently I have been hearing about a book you have written but I know nothing about it. Please tell me what those people are talking about."

We use "this" sometimes in a rather strange way.

What's this scandal you're apparently involved in?
Who's this girl I keep hearing that you're dating?
There's this gorgeous pair of shoes I want to buy but I have no money.

Thank you very much!!