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lilythegoblin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
katiecoconut21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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
5.0
Ella Minnow Pea is a delightful story told through letters exchanged by liberal arts enthusiasts on an island off the California coast, Nollop. Only these letters become harder to write when their government forcibly removes access to more and more alphabetical letters (I recommend reading out loud when you get to the end; you'll know when).
This story is a young adult, dystopian novel. Amidst the familial ties, striking dystopian characteristics sneak through, making the story all the more interesting in the midst of what may appear to be a simple story.
I truly loved Ella Minnow Pea, and I highly believe it will be considered one of the classics. Give it a read if you haven't; you won't regret it.
This story is a young adult, dystopian novel. Amidst the familial ties, striking dystopian characteristics sneak through, making the story all the more interesting in the midst of what may appear to be a simple story.
I truly loved Ella Minnow Pea, and I highly believe it will be considered one of the classics. Give it a read if you haven't; you won't regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation and Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Police brutality
ninasloft's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
tense
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? No
4.0
Definitely a must-read for logophiles & those with an unquenchable passion for words & the English language. I don't consider myself largely able to read or speak in complex terms, however I really enjoyed the word play & the enthusiacally eccentric way they speak in the book. If you've ever seen the episodes containing Paige Sinclair from Bojack Horseman, that is how I imagine the characters in this book to speak & I personally adore it. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but a wonderful book with a unique, interesting idea. My only wish is that it were a little longer so that we as the reader were able to connect more deeply to the characters. A strong recommendation nonetheless, especially for those who are fond of the writing style such as myself, I foun it to be a fun & quick read. Although it glosses over some intense subject matter, which might be off-putting to some.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation and Police brutality
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Ableism
annaavian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
1.0
This book attempts to portray itself as something deep and thought-provoking, but ultimately falls flat. While the book's characters write clever and emotive letters, they're still just letters, leading to a pedantic recounting of events. As a result, the characters have no life or vibrance, and the reader is left with nothing but the dull experience of reading letters from strangers.
There are many better books that explore similar themes of totalitarianism, censorship, free speech and the power of language in more captivating and inspirational ways.
There are many better books that explore similar themes of totalitarianism, censorship, free speech and the power of language in more captivating and inspirational ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Police brutality
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Ableism and Suicide
picnicatthehangingtree's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
A clever and funny, if overly simplistic and expository, story of totalitarianism and freedom of speech.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Deportation, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Violence
freckles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
This was a very cool read!
It's epistolary and the people of Nollop lose the right to use letters gradually, resulting in name changes, new words used and creative descriptors employed.
I can only recommend looking at the letterheads as well. :3
It's epistolary and the people of Nollop lose the right to use letters gradually, resulting in name changes, new words used and creative descriptors employed.
I can only recommend looking at the letterheads as well. :3
Content Warnings
Minor: Deportation, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
bingo_banjo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicide
stargirlmolly's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Suicide and Death
qrschulte's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
This book had an interesting premise, but the focus on staying true to the “joke” of the book about letters being removed from a society’s vocabulary being told through letters (epistolary), was a bit much in my opinion. The characters weren’t that compelling, and a whole lot of nothing happened for it all to get resolved real quick in the last 20 pages (which incidentally were pretty blank).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Self harm, and Deportation
Moderate: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Torture, Religious bigotry, and Confinement
lynn_z's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Alcoholism, and Suicide
Minor: Death