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babyskillet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
I really liked this! It was a quick read and something that got me really loving the book that I was reading again. I tend not to read just literary fiction, but I always do love a novel written back and forth in letters. I loved the way it wrapped up, I loved the witty words and sharp characters!
camille_abelanet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was such an interesting premise, and such a good execution!! It was such a thrill to see the letters vanish and to see the characters do linguistic gymnastics to get their point across without using one of the forbidden letters!
katzkraze's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
cute book to get me out of my reading slump... relatively quick and easy but it doesnt stand out apart from that
robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
Absurd and disturbing and fascinating all together.
I mean, anything so centred on words, language is a good bet for me to love, and this is indeed as of now, a 2024 favourite.
To start with such a fanciful promise and then follow it to what history grimly indicates is the next step and then...
The creativity in finding ways to communicate when arbitrary restrictions are placed on English as one once knew it, almost like word puzzles throughout, especially after the phonetic forms come into it.
The standard considerations about how restricting word usage, censorship affects the institutions common to communities: schools, libraries, news papers, and their staff.
And then of course the ever darker implications of controlling a populace, people informing on each other, people living in fear, people suffering and dying. And the parallel often seen in such circumstances, power hungry group just getting more dictatorial, religious zealotry beyond sense, the denial not just of what once was acceptable, but of reality where it does not suit the new world view. The manipulation not just of what is available for use, but also the further appropriation when power maddens (i.e. land grab in the name of religion).
And the lightbulb moment near the end? Oh, boy. I love being swept away in a story, because I was not looking for it, did not see it, and that made the revealed moment of discovery so much better.
⚠️Attempted suicide, use of slur, alcoholism
I mean, anything so centred on words, language is a good bet for me to love, and this is indeed as of now, a 2024 favourite.
To start with such a fanciful promise and then follow it to what history grimly indicates is the next step and then...
The standard considerations about how restricting word usage, censorship affects the institutions common to communities: schools, libraries, news papers, and their staff.
And then of course the ever darker implications of controlling a populace, people informing on each other, people living in fear, people suffering and dying. And the parallel often seen in such circumstances, power hungry group just getting more dictatorial, religious zealotry beyond sense, the denial not just of what once was acceptable, but of reality where it does not suit the new world view. The manipulation not just of what is available for use, but also the further appropriation when power maddens (i.e. land grab in the name of religion).
And the lightbulb moment near the end? Oh, boy. I love being swept away in a story, because I was not looking for it, did not see it, and that made the revealed moment of discovery so much better.
⚠️Attempted suicide, use of slur, alcoholism
cindyella6's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Loved this books quirky writing style while telling the tales of the horrors of oligarchs.
wordwhimsynsorcery's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A lovely read, written entirely in the form of letters, among all the lovable characters of a fictional island. The book reminds us of a simpler time, before the advent of technology and social media, when letters were the only mode of communication. It reminds us of the power of language (which we take so lightly). The book is a linguistic chasm and it's my pleasure to recommend it to other book lovers.
natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
3.5! Very neat! Don’t have much to say about it besides that. The amount of letter checking I did(!!) also surprised it lasted so long before turning to nonsense.
flelix's review against another edition
challenging
funny
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
4.5
callielaine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75