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Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark…
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Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters (original 2001; edition 2002)

by Mark Dunn

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
3,9112583,121 (3.88)440
Ella Minnow Pea is a girl living happily on the fictional island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop was named after Nevin Nollop, author of the immortal pangram, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Now Ella finds herself acting to save her friends, family, and fellow citizens from the encroaching totalitarianism of the island's Council, which has banned the use of certain letters of the alphabet as they fall from a memorial statue of Nevin Nollop. As the letters progressively drop from the statue they also disappear from the novel. The result is both a hilarious and moving story of one girl's fight for freedom of expression, as well as a linguistic tour de force sure to delight word lovers everywhere.… (more)
Member:herdingcats
Title:Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters
Authors:Mark Dunn
Info:Anchor (2002), Edition: First Edition, Paperback, 208 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:*****
Tags:None

Work Information

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn (2001)

  1. 20
    The Wonderful O by James Thurber (SylviaC)
    SylviaC: Both stories use a light touch to look at language and censorship.
  2. 21
    Tepper Isn't Going Out: A Novel by Calvin Trillin (amysisson)
    amysisson: Both are deceptively simple stories that highlight absurdity in human behavior.
  3. 21
    Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie (bookwoman247)
    bookwoman247: Word play and language are an intregal part of both books. Ella Minnow Pea is a bit more sophisticated, but for adults or teens who enjoyed Haroun and the Sea of Stories, I think they will also find Ella Minnow Pea very enjoyable.
  4. 00
    The Beautiful Bureaucrat by Helen Phillips (4leschats)
    4leschats: Similar aspects of word play demonstrate how the abstract nature of language creates, alters, and describes our concrete experiences.
  5. 00
    The ACB with Honora Lee by Kate De Goldi (GirlMisanthrope)
    GirlMisanthrope: Short sweet charming book , featuring the alphabet
  6. 00
    Just a Couple of Days by Tony Vigorito (sturlington)
    sturlington: Breakdown of language
  7. 01
    The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (Yells)
  8. 12
    Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (Runa)
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» See also 440 mentions

English (257)  Dutch (1)  All languages (258)
Showing 1-5 of 257 (next | show all)
A creative and well-executed idea of a alphabet-worshipping community descending into totalitarianism. With a simple yet effective plot, the story treats us to some linguistic delights (before some necessarily terrible shockers!) as well as how such a dystopia could happen. Now I just have to find and read Flatland and that will fulfil my childhood desires/delights for these concept novels. ( )
  kitzyl | Mar 9, 2024 |
The country of Nollop lives in homage to deceased (and fictional) Nevin Nollop, originator of the pangram, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” There’s even a memorial in stone tiles that spell out the pangram. But homage has morphed into deification, and when the tiles start falling and shattering, government leaders implement what they believe to be Nollop’s post-mortem command: ban each fallen letter from use, with swift and severe penalties to anyone who violates the ban.

Originally published in 2001, I was struck by how relevant to today are its threats of censorship, authoritarianism and political veneration. The story itself is clever, fun, a bit thin. ( )
  DetailMuse | Jan 23, 2024 |
What a charming gift I received for my birthday last year. I would hate to have my freedom of speech be taken away from me as badly as this community. Sometimes I fear the worst here, but I'm thankful to be in the US as opposed to a country that blocks news sites for having different views. ( )
  tyk314 | Jan 22, 2024 |
What a charming gift I received for my birthday last year. I would hate to have my freedom of speech be taken away from me as badly as this community. Sometimes I fear the worst here, but I'm thankful to be in the US as opposed to a country that blocks news sites for having different views. ( )
  tyk314 | Jan 22, 2024 |
A thriller-puzzle story for English majors. Delightful, very near five stars. ( )
  AdioRadley | Jan 21, 2024 |
Showing 1-5 of 257 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (1 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Mark Dunnprimary authorall editionscalculated
Gall, JohnCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Risberg, MiaDesignersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Williams, ClaireCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
In the beginning was the Word.

- Gospel of John, Chapter 1, Verse 1
The wicked peon quivered,

then gazed balefully at the judges

who examined him.

- Anonymous Typesetter
Dedication
For Mary
First words
Nollopton. Sunday, July 23. Dear Cousin Tassie, Thank you for the lovely postcards.
Quotations
For the present, it is easier for us to turn away. Our repulsion, you see, will not spur us to revolt until this plague moves much closer to home.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
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Wikipedia in English (3)

Ella Minnow Pea is a girl living happily on the fictional island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop was named after Nevin Nollop, author of the immortal pangram, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Now Ella finds herself acting to save her friends, family, and fellow citizens from the encroaching totalitarianism of the island's Council, which has banned the use of certain letters of the alphabet as they fall from a memorial statue of Nevin Nollop. As the letters progressively drop from the statue they also disappear from the novel. The result is both a hilarious and moving story of one girl's fight for freedom of expression, as well as a linguistic tour de force sure to delight word lovers everywhere.

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Book description
Haiku summary
Letters about a
Sign with letters that fall off.
Let her freedom ring.
(_debbie_)

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