Reviews

Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel Without Letters by Mark Dunn

vagorsol's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

3.0

I can't believe people call this book "lighthearted." Honey, you've got a big storm coming. Other than that, it isn't bad? Just not what I was going into expecting. Also very dry and somewhat of a chore at times to get through.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality

Minor: Death

thereadingchip's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring sad 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? No

4.25

n_rts's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Suicide

emlbish's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

skylivohr's review against another edition

dark funny hopeful reflective 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

5.0

If you grew up loving The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Jester, you will love this. They are nothing alike, but have the same curious, word-loving vibe. The way the author plays with words and language is exceptional, and the heavy themes are made lighter with such a captivating story and narrative structure. 

graciegrace1178's review against another edition

5.0

LOVED this!!! Books with manipulation of language AND dystopia ideas are THE B E S T.

From a message sent to a friend on this book: it reminded me a bit of Zora Neal Hurston’s style but like,, opposite? ZNH takes verbal language and transcribes it as heard in a way that expands vocabulary and grammar rules and EMP takes *imagined* *unvoiced* words and writes them based on restrictions of the lost letters. They’re both manipulation of language but they FEEL like they operate in opposite directions- ZNH expands and EMP contracts.

aleezastars's review against another edition

3.0

It's alright, I suppose. The romance is entirely unnecessary, and detracts from the plot greatly. Otherwise, a very decent book. If you can plug through the romance without wanting to throw it against a wall (I was just barely able to), then you will enjoy it greatly.

dragonflymorning's review against another edition

4.0

This book had been on my TBR list for a while. The concept of each storied epistle loosing one letter after another added to the themes of power and corruption were irresistible. It was a quick and delightfully interesting read.

cie6e's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

selima's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5