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booksandotherthings's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
dodgson's review against another edition
3.0
Expansive, engaging—even revelatory—the novel remains readable despite the strangely limited lexicon. Less narrative thread, more meditation over some themes, yet interesting nonetheless. He's quite clever; he does fine, even eschewing sentence elements like the ones I've used here.
wmmcmanlypants's review against another edition
2.0
An amazing feat of circumlocution, but the story is just so dry. This book is a great reminder of how important a single letter is.
vincentkonrad's review against another edition
1.0
With only a solo aspiration you might think that this book would fulfil it. It don't. Apart from that it is dull, if quaint in parts.
teakayb's review against another edition
3.0
One star for the story, but another two for writing all 50,000 words of it without using an "e".
rachel_marie21's review against another edition
1.0
I thought it would be fun to read as this 50,000 word book does not contain the letter "e". But the premise (otherwise) didn't interest me and I was very confused :/
cannedbread's review against another edition
4.0
I try not to tell people "read this book" purely I know I hate when people tell me I should read something because then it feels like a chore.
However, I think at some point, everyone should read this book.
It's a very easy read and an interesting challenge the writer presented to himself at the time. But most importantly, I feel like there are a lot of tidbits of wisdom that aren't really told much today because people think it's "common sense" when in reality, not many people know of it.
I could explain them myself, but I think it's best if you read it. The book is like a dollar on Kindle and very much worth that dollar, and then some.
However, I think at some point, everyone should read this book.
It's a very easy read and an interesting challenge the writer presented to himself at the time. But most importantly, I feel like there are a lot of tidbits of wisdom that aren't really told much today because people think it's "common sense" when in reality, not many people know of it.
I could explain them myself, but I think it's best if you read it. The book is like a dollar on Kindle and very much worth that dollar, and then some.
snowbenton's review against another edition
1.0
The idea is quite cool but the story is terrible. Meandering, boring, plotless, and sexist.
allyoop's review against another edition
3.0
This book is famous for not having any words using a particular symbol that usually hangs out with A, I, O, and U. (Tis a hard thing to do, I am finding.) It's sooo amazing that Wright could accomplish a sound story with that mission, and at fifty thousand words on top of that. It warrants a LOT of kudos.
But... this book's plot is just okay. It's a bit slow, a bit boring. I don't know how much of that is word choosing, (as it truly limits your options) which could hurt his writing - though I kind of doubt it. I was struck by his vocabulary, and his story flows fairly naturally. And, so I stay fair, it's not all boring/slow. It has amusing bits. It's obvious this author has skill in writing, any way you look at it. (I found his introduction particularly humorous, and his following story has occasional, surprising wit.)
I'm glad I found it, but I wouldn't want to go through it again.
But... this book's plot is just okay. It's a bit slow, a bit boring. I don't know how much of that is word choosing, (as it truly limits your options) which could hurt his writing - though I kind of doubt it. I was struck by his vocabulary, and his story flows fairly naturally. And, so I stay fair, it's not all boring/slow. It has amusing bits. It's obvious this author has skill in writing, any way you look at it. (I found his introduction particularly humorous, and his following story has occasional, surprising wit.)
I'm glad I found it, but I wouldn't want to go through it again.