A review by sai_g
Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Described as a "progressively lipogrammatic epistolary fable", it is that and so much more.  As u would have gathered from the summary, it is a story in the form of letters where people are prohibited from using particular alphabets gradually. As the number of prohibited alphabets increase, the letters become too funny to comprehend, while also showing the gradual restlessness of the people writing the letters. I kept re-reading to check if the letters really did not have those particular alphabets. And sometimes i missed that they indeed use the prohibited alphabets. Then the story would say they were caught and i would reread to see where they slipped. 

It is a funny, witty and a good time. With a touch of dystopian, this short and fast paced book is a perfect read. 

PS: I am a sucker for love letters. Though rare and scattered in this book, it was heart warming to read.