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xtie's review
3.0
A long and arduous task - from author, translator, and this bookworm. I will not discount how skilful this lipogram was, although not wholly fun nor straightforward at all. A worthy activity; if you contain any grit or an ability to skim logically.
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In other words, it’s fucking hard to write without the letter e. Kudos to Perec and Adair. This is a meandering one that got better the closer to the end and I especially loved Olga’s chapter. Not a necessary read but a fun mindfuck!
———
In other words, it’s fucking hard to write without the letter e. Kudos to Perec and Adair. This is a meandering one that got better the closer to the end and I especially loved Olga’s chapter. Not a necessary read but a fun mindfuck!
rhidee's review
4.0
This book is amazing. It's pace drags you on and on whether you like it or not, and by being very self-aware - with many of the characters mentioning a void, an omission, which of course refers to the lack of the letter "e" anywhere in the book - it is very appealing and engaging.
One thing I would say against it is that it sometimes becomes very complicated. At times it needs not only a dictionary but a pop culture manual to help decipher what is being referred to, but often it reads fine without 100% understanding. The conclusion is dramatic and fitting, and all in all this is a great book to read.
One thing I would say against it is that it sometimes becomes very complicated. At times it needs not only a dictionary but a pop culture manual to help decipher what is being referred to, but often it reads fine without 100% understanding. The conclusion is dramatic and fitting, and all in all this is a great book to read.
kaisaei's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
ailegais's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lilly25's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
However, to recognize the worth of the editorial challenge and translation.
elon's review against another edition
3.0
Riktigt klurigt att skriva en ordentlig bok, och helt utesluta bokstaven E. Jag inspirerades att göra en recension på i samma stuk, men valde slutligen bort det. Men tanken kryper in under skinnet, och även om stilen blir väldigt speciell finns det också en tydlig charm med det!
Samtidigt tyckte jag inte att boken i övrigt höll, helt fristående från de speciella skrivreglerna. För många karaktärer man inte får grepp om förrän mot slutet, och irriterande många utsvängningar som aldrig känns relevanta.
Efter att ha läst klart boken kändes det dock som att alla pusselbitar föll på plats, varpå jag gick tillbaka till början för att se alla ledtrådar som strösslats ut, men att jag inte var mottaglig för dem då. De saknades också helt, så det verkar inte vara något mysterium det är tänkt att man ska kunna knäcka, utan det är bara en rad fantasifulla berättelser om jordens olika hörn, som knyts ihop med varandra, utan att de upplevs speciellt viktiga för varandra.
Samtidigt tyckte jag inte att boken i övrigt höll, helt fristående från de speciella skrivreglerna. För många karaktärer man inte får grepp om förrän mot slutet, och irriterande många utsvängningar som aldrig känns relevanta.
Efter att ha läst klart boken kändes det dock som att alla pusselbitar föll på plats, varpå jag gick tillbaka till början för att se alla ledtrådar som strösslats ut, men att jag inte var mottaglig för dem då. De saknades också helt, så det verkar inte vara något mysterium det är tänkt att man ska kunna knäcka, utan det är bara en rad fantasifulla berättelser om jordens olika hörn, som knyts ihop med varandra, utan att de upplevs speciellt viktiga för varandra.
sneakysophster's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This lipogram excludes the letter e and is very impressive in that regard only. Its plot oscillates between long stretches of nothing and soap opera hyperdrama resolving in a rather disappointing manner.
I agree with another reviewer that Italo Calvino’s “If On a Winter’s Night, A Traveler” does a much better job of being absurd with insights into literature, reading, language, and parody.
The book is full of literary references. I laughed out loud at Perec’s parody of Poe’s “The Purloined Letter,” which I loved as a kid. I’m sure I missed many more, but I don’t mind. Just referencing other works of literature doesn’t make a novel brilliant or interesting if the book itself isn’t compelling.
Overall, I believe this was more fun to write than it is to read.
I agree with another reviewer that Italo Calvino’s “If On a Winter’s Night, A Traveler” does a much better job of being absurd with insights into literature, reading, language, and parody.
The book is full of literary references. I laughed out loud at Perec’s parody of Poe’s “The Purloined Letter,” which I loved as a kid. I’m sure I missed many more, but I don’t mind. Just referencing other works of literature doesn’t make a novel brilliant or interesting if the book itself isn’t compelling.
Overall, I believe this was more fun to write than it is to read.
pato_myers's review
3.0
So this was an interesting read, definitely worth at least a skimming, but the words chosen don't flow. It's reasonable since so many words use e, but it does make it a less fun read.