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blipbloopsie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
mlwe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Summary:
There are 26 letters in the English alphabet. How often do you use all of them? What would you do if you couldn't?
The citizens on the island of Nollop, named after the author of "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy brown dog," must confront this very issue. The alphabet monument honoring Nollop is crumbling apart, which the Council interprets as a command of the cessations and censoring of the island's letters. Thus, any citizen found to be using these graphemes will be exiled or executed. However, not everyone agrees with this divine interpretation of an old structure, and community ties begin to resemble the dilapidated signage. Factions form. Fear begins crumbling the Nollopian's futures. Hope feels lost unless the citizens can unite and resist the oppressive regime that has overtaken their land, life, and language.
My Thoughts:
Definitely not the fairy tale I was expecting! I was thrown by some of the darker themes the novel tackles and the stark parallels to modern society. I'd probably benefit from a reread, as the plot was quite clever and interesting to follow. The characters were fun to meet, and I enjoyed seeing the different perspectives on the events unfolding in Nollop. However, as it is an epistolary novel, it could be difficult to identify which character was narrating without turning to the signature at the end of the letter. I got some spoilers flipping back and forth, but enjoyed having small, succinct 'chapters' to piece together and pace myself.
There are 26 letters in the English alphabet. How often do you use all of them? What would you do if you couldn't?
The citizens on the island of Nollop, named after the author of "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy brown dog," must confront this very issue. The alphabet monument honoring Nollop is crumbling apart, which the Council interprets as a command of the cessations and censoring of the island's letters. Thus, any citizen found to be using these graphemes will be exiled or executed. However, not everyone agrees with this divine interpretation of an old structure, and community ties begin to resemble the dilapidated signage. Factions form. Fear begins crumbling the Nollopian's futures. Hope feels lost unless the citizens can unite and resist the oppressive regime that has overtaken their land, life, and language.
My Thoughts:
Definitely not the fairy tale I was expecting! I was thrown by some of the darker themes the novel tackles and the stark parallels to modern society. I'd probably benefit from a reread, as the plot was quite clever and interesting to follow. The characters were fun to meet, and I enjoyed seeing the different perspectives on the events unfolding in Nollop. However, as it is an epistolary novel, it could be difficult to identify which character was narrating without turning to the signature at the end of the letter. I got some spoilers flipping back and forth, but enjoyed having small, succinct 'chapters' to piece together and pace myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Confinement
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Oppressive Regimes, Social Isolationanahisa's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
the entire audiobook cast ate this project right the fuck up, let me tell you!!!
genuinely think this could make a really good low budget stage play. great lil story about censorship + language!!! will now be making my own complete alphabet sentences just for funsies <3
genuinely think this could make a really good low budget stage play. great lil story about censorship + language!!! will now be making my own complete alphabet sentences just for funsies <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
tenevree's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death
Minor: Deportation
sonlight21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This book is an interesting little story. It presents its self as a funny lighthearted tale that very quickly unravels into despair and disaster. Truly a very interesting look at our language and even culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Murder, Police brutality, Classism, and Abandonment
didireadthat's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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 book was so fun and a nice quick read! I really excited to read it based on the description and it did not disappoint. It was funny while still hitting on the darker parts of such a dystopian government.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Murder, and Police brutality
misse3's review
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Gun violence, Death, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Police brutality, Murder, Death of parent, and Suicide attempt
rbacon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This book is so clever, honestly I'm just in awe of how unique a concept this is. The letter writing style only added to the world building. I would have loved to have read more about what happened after, and got to know some of the characters that were introduced later in the book a bit better, but also I am perfectly satisfied with the ending I got.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Gun violence, and Alcoholism
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