Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn

5 reviews

starlitpage's review against another edition

challenging funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Deportation

Moderate: Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Gun violence

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. 

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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 Isolation

anton13's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Yeah no. It’s at most like 3.5-3.75 stars. It’s not for me. There where parts I liked and it’s definitely well written but it was boring. The whole premise is a great idea and I honestly think if it was executed a bit differently I’d have enjoyed it more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Police brutality

Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Deportation, and Death

Minor: Abandonment and Suicide attempt

toomanytbr's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deportation, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Bullying, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Suicide attempt

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. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Murder, Police brutality, Classism, and Abandonment