Ella Minnow Pea Review:
Title: Ella
Minnow Pea
Author:
Mark Dunn
Literary
Level: Advanced
Rating: 5/5
Published in 2001, this book tells the story of Ella Minnow Pea, utilizing written mail as the main source of the writing between characters, conveying to the reader every facet of the story. On the island of Nollop (derived from the fictional author of the famous pangram “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”, Nevin Nollop) tiles that spelled the pangram started falling and the council decided that it was in Nollop’s name (they viewed him as a God) to erase any letter that falls from their vocabulary, be it written or spoken. Anyone caught in the first attempt will be warned, a second time garners public humiliation, and a third time is an exile (if you do not comply then death is the last resort). It is in the hands of the townspeople to create a new pangram that rivals Nollop’s, one that is only 32 characters long and still uses every letter.
There is so much to say about this
book. So many themes it speaks about, like religious zealotry, the absurdity of
following the words of a man and deifying him, regret, loss, and despair, and
that not everyone wants what is best for others regardless of the pros. Dunn
expertly writes an entire book with impediments on writing and crutches that
would stump any normal writer. Every chapter eliminates a letter that might
seem innocuous but is useful in certain circumstances. It is a well-thought-out
book taking into consideration small details, making you have to read every
single word to confirm the validity that there is in fact one letter missing
or not used. Close to the end, you get the sense that you are reading the words
of a small child when in reality it is a carefully written message to someone
else to avoid exile. This is why the literary level is advanced because it mixes
intricate wording and nonsensical lettering to bring an understandable message
to the reader. I highly recommend anyone to read it at least once.