bikecycle's review
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jackietea's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-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? No
3.75
kyracoty's review
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
jara_brooke's review
3.0
Enjoyed the concept, but the fact it was written entirely through letters made me feel disconnected and a bit bored. I wanted more action/interaction. But, I get that that was the point—a story about alphabetical letters being banned yet the entirety of it is told through letters. It just didn’t grip me as much as I hoped.
lindseycrouch's review
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Absolutely ridiculous in the most delightful way, and the concept is so clever. It's funny, and yet it also brings up some very serious themes about free speech and censorship.
Mom should know it's squeaky clean, but a little tricky to decipher toward the end with so many letters outlawed. For that reason I don't think an audiobook version would do it any justice because all that creative spelling is truly a work of art.
Mom should know it's squeaky clean, but a little tricky to decipher toward the end with so many letters outlawed. For that reason I don't think an audiobook version would do it any justice because all that creative spelling is truly a work of art.
aalissaa's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
samidonovan's review
5.0
the ending was absolute perfection and full of satisfaction. as someone who has a limited vocabulary and the brain the size of a goldfish most days this book was incredibly brilliant. I bought this on a total whim and practically read it in one sitting immediately and I’m so happy I did. There’s so much care packed into these letters to tell a great story I was truly invested in each character and felt many emotions
jaswoahreads's review
4.0
“I am angry that all we have come to value, perhaps even take for granted, is being ripped from us-one tile at a time.”
Ella Minnow Pea (say it aloud) is a novel set on the fictitious isle of Nollop, home of the supposed-creator of the pangram ‘the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog’. When the statue erected in honour of this begins to lose its letters, the Nollopian council decides it is a call from a higher power that they, too, should be losing the letters from their vocabulary.
The novel, written in a series of letters between various inhabitants of the island,and as they begin to lose their letters they (and the author) have to get creative in their communications to avoid the now criminal letters to avoid incarceration and potential banishment. What ensues is a very fun lipographic (learnt that word today) exercise which also tackles themes of totalitarian governments and freedom of speech - and how far people will go to preserve their freedoms. If you like quirky and unusual stories this is definitely one to grab! My main gripe with this novel is that it can be hard to keep up with the language as the story progresses and more letters are lost
Ella Minnow Pea (say it aloud) is a novel set on the fictitious isle of Nollop, home of the supposed-creator of the pangram ‘the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog’. When the statue erected in honour of this begins to lose its letters, the Nollopian council decides it is a call from a higher power that they, too, should be losing the letters from their vocabulary.
The novel, written in a series of letters between various inhabitants of the island,and as they begin to lose their letters they (and the author) have to get creative in their communications to avoid the now criminal letters to avoid incarceration and potential banishment. What ensues is a very fun lipographic (learnt that word today) exercise which also tackles themes of totalitarian governments and freedom of speech - and how far people will go to preserve their freedoms. If you like quirky and unusual stories this is definitely one to grab! My main gripe with this novel is that it can be hard to keep up with the language as the story progresses and more letters are lost