marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The fate of the world in the event that the alphabet as we know it is slowly diminished, one letter at a time.
Very clever and witty book! And an easy read (as long as you can decipher some rather unique and unusual spellings, aka "hear-twins."
Very clever and witty book! And an easy read (as long as you can decipher some rather unique and unusual spellings, aka "hear-twins."
mariahhanley's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I love language and I love writing and I grew up with a journalist Mom and a reader Dad. So the utility and beauty of language is important to me. And this book was just plain fun. I spent awhile trying to put together my own sentence- stuck at 48!
katiedoodle's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and frustrating satirical romp through both the consequences of fundamentalist extremism and the flexibility of the English language.
The novel uses a lot of uncommon words, which made it a little tough to read but also whimsical and educational. This is a book much more focused on the fun of wordplay than on characterization, but still the spirit of human struggle, expression, and community is an important theme. The resolution took me slightly by surprise and I enjoyed the way it came about.
The novel uses a lot of uncommon words, which made it a little tough to read but also whimsical and educational. This is a book much more focused on the fun of wordplay than on characterization, but still the spirit of human struggle, expression, and community is an important theme. The resolution took me slightly by surprise and I enjoyed the way it came about.
katcass's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
robinv3's review against another edition
4.5
Unlike anything I’ve ever read before, was a difficult but fun read.
shmoley's review against another edition
5.0
wow! I've never been so stressed with a dystopia, so invested in the characters. The ending, wonderful, really.
charlotte_rigby's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book, mainly because of the ending. At times I felt a little bored by the book, and felt like giving up, but I carried on to the end, as I was curious to find out how it would finish, and Im so glad I did. It is such a clever storyline, and I loved the ending, as I said.I would definitely recommend it
madisonemmelia's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
daethule's review against another edition
challenging
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Mixed emotions on this one. It presents itself as lighthearted and silly but underneath is rather sinister. A warning, a commentary on abuse of power and those who allow it to happen to them without fighting back. The fact that the book labels itself a fable is evidence enough, I think, that I'm not just reading too deeply into it.
On the lighthearted side, I did enjoy the progressive silliness of the linguistic restraints. I can only imagine how difficult (and fun, probably) this was for the author to write.
On the lighthearted side, I did enjoy the progressive silliness of the linguistic restraints. I can only imagine how difficult (and fun, probably) this was for the author to write.