Book Description
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.
*pangram: a sentence or phrase that includes all the letters of the alphabet
Customer Reviews:
Alphabetti Spaghetti.......2007-09-01
I recommended Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn to Sarah Salway (The ABCs of Love) and she is loving it so I thought I would mention it to everyone as this wonderful, ingenious book has never become the bestseller it deserves. By shouting about it here I can probably drum up two or three more readers for it.
Big deal you might say, but if they all like it and can get two or three other people to try it and they, in turn, do likewise then by my calculations it will be the most popular book in the world in about three weeks.
The novel is set on the fictional island of Nollop, named after Nevin Nollop, the man who invented the pangram 'the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog'. The statue in his honour displays the sentence proudly but as letters start to crumble and fall off, the inhabitants of the island are forbidden to use them.
As e ch ch pter progresses the text reflects these new l ws which me ns th t the re der is left to fill in the bl nks.
Clever and witty stuff and a book that I am pretty sure will entertain anyone with a love of words and wordplay.
(Originally reviewed on the Me And My Big Mouth blog).
Sublime!.......2007-08-14
This book has something for everyone. Outwardly it is a clever, if quirky story. But you don't have to delve far to find the parable within and the corresponding commentary on both censorship and the struggle against abridgement of personal rights. What a great achievement!
brilliant wordplay; less gripping storyline.......2007-03-13
Mark Dunn's imaginative book is written as a series of letters between characters living on a fictional island and who face a tyrannical, superstitious government that outlaws the use of letters as they fall off a village cenotaph. Dunn's writing under these constraints is really masterful (for example, after "c" has been banished he uses the word "genoerasure" for genocide, and "amigas" for "friends" after "f" and "d" are outlawed), but I didn't find the storyline nearly as compelling. I felt the outcome of the drama was predictable, and there was a sameness to the characters' voices that made them hard to distinguish from one another.
Still, Dunn deserves praise for pulling off the daring and successful feat of writing a novel which, by its end, must be written with barely half of the letters of the alphabet available. -- Judy Gruen, author, "The Women's Daily Irony Supplement."
Strange read.......2007-01-10
This book with its use (dis-use) of the alphabet appeals to people with well-developed senses of humor, perhaps strange senses of humor. I certainly would recommend readers give it a try.
One of the most original novels that I have read.......2006-12-08
Ella Minnow Pea is an instant classic. The originality of the plot and the way it is presented makes this book stand out. Though it takes a few pages to figure out what is going on, once you are drawn into it, this book is very hard to put down. It should be required reading for all English Lit and/or Poli Sci high school students.
Note to prospective readers: there is a SPOILER in the review by Betty Burks of TN--don't read her review before reading this book!!
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Review of Contemporary Fiction, published by Review of Contemporary Fiction on June 22, 2003. The length of the article is 622 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Mark Dunn. Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters.(Book Review)
Author: Irving Malin
Publication:
The Review of Contemporary Fiction (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2003
Publisher: Review of Contemporary Fiction
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Page: 153(1)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- GRIPPING
- Uneven thriller with promise
- Disturbing Old-Time Religion
- Great entertainment
- A KISS TO BUILD A SERIES ON
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The Serpent's Kiss : A Novel
Mark T. Sullivan
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0743439821 |
Book Description
A divorced, second generation homicide detective out of San Diego, Seamus Moynihan figures he¹s witnessed the worst kind of violence humans can visit upon one another. Then he¹s summoned to a crime scene where the victim, a naked man, has been bitten to death by a snake in a bizarre ritual orchestrated by a cunning and vicious murderer.
To catch the killer, Moynihan must embark on a mesmerizing journey into a world of twisted eroticism, black-market herpetology, fanatical spiritual cults, and ultimately one of history¹s enduring mysteries: Who was the second woman?
With the help of a Biblical scholar whose theories about the enigmatic wife of Cain may provide a startling link to the current investigation, Moynihan follows a twisting trail that leads to herpetologists on the cutting edge of television celebrity, Internet swingers exploring the dark depths of human sexuality...and a chilling fundamentalist cult in the backwoods of Alabama. As the mystery deepens, weaving together events of the distant and recent past, the veteran detective is forced to confront his own life¹s choices in a climax that threatens to destroy his sanity.
Download Description
A divorced, second generation homicide detective out of San Diego, Seamus Moynihan figures he?s witnessed the worst kind of violence humans can visit upon one another. Then he?s summoned to a crime scene where the victim, a naked man, has been bitten to death by a snake in a bizarre ritual orchestrated by a cunning and vicious murderer. To catch the killer, Moynihan must embark on a mesmerizing journey into a world of twisted eroticism, black-market herpetology, fanatical spiritual cults, and ultimately one of history?s enduring mysteries: Who was the second woman? With the help of a Biblical scholar whose theories about the enigmatic wife of Cain may provide a startling link to the current investigation, Moynihan follows a twisting trail that leads to herpetologists on the cutting edge of television celebrity, Internet swingers exploring the dark depths of human sexuality...and a chilling fundamentalist cult in the backwoods of Alabama. As the mystery deepens, weaving together events of the distant and recent past, the veteran detective is forced to confront his own life?s choices in a climax that threatens to destroy his sanity.
Customer Reviews:
GRIPPING.......2007-02-07
Well, to make this very simple, I started the book one evening, and by the next morning....4A.M. I had finished it. Couldn't put it down. PERIOD!
Uneven thriller with promise.......2005-06-09
Mark T. Sullivan has created a winner of a character in San Diego homicide detective Seamus Moynihan. He's complex and conflicted as all get-out--his family life is in a shambles, his career is on the line, and he's got a past that would haunt anybody. His father, also a police officer, was killed in the line of duty and Seamus broke a promise to his mother by also becoming a cop after a traumatic injury cut short his life with the Boston Red Sox. His ex-wife is moving on with another man, he is alienating his son, and he has difficulty with all his relationships. He doesn't always follow his own advice--the book would be shorter if he did--but then what real person does? In addition, he is an effective narrator and he lives on a boat like Travis McGee. All in all, Moynihan is one engaging character--although not always entirely believable (I mean, I like my heroes as flawed as the next guy, but Moynihan has enough for two characters). Sullivan plans to write a series of books starring "Shay" and, at the very least, this is a man we will not tire of visiting anytime soon.
The Serpent's Kiss, however, is another story. It's a riveting read--plenty of suspense, action, twist, and turns, as well as lots of different characters to keep us guessing to the identity of the murderer. Unfortunately, Sullivan attempts to lead his readers down a path that makes sense, then jettisons it at the last moment for a more sensationalist ending. The last quarter of the book--while gripping, informative, and quickly-paced--dampens the effect of the rest of the novel. Nevertheless, I was engrossed to the very end.
A string of sexually-related serial murders is the focus of the investigation. Peppered with the bites of various illegally obtained snakes (or "hot herps"), the victims are found with poisoned apples in their mouths (where's the Snow White angle?) and obscure literary/biblical references left at the scene. The search leads Moynihan and his partner/brother-in-law to the local reptile adventurer, Nick Foster, star of Cold Blooded (an obvious Crocodile Hunter parody) and his reluctant partner, zoologist Jan Hood. Also involved in the investigation is professor Susan Dahoney, author of a controversial book about the Lilith myth called The Second Woman. Both these women will provide keys to the eventual solution, but not before Moynihan gets involved with them romantically. And before long, Shay will get too close for comfort with several poisonous snakes, but at least his knowledge of them--courtesy of the investigation--will help him survive.
From the beginning, Sullivan leads his characters down the wrong path intentionally, all the while winking at his readers and letting us know he's in on it. This made it all too easy to guess the perpetrator's identity. Sullivan's prose is mostly invisible--perfect for this type of thriller--but there end up being too many subplots. He leads us running from location to location, trying too hard to make sure we're having a good time. After a while--just like on a rollercoaster--I'd had enough and was ready for it to be over.
In the end, I enjoyed The Serpent's Kiss very much, and will certainly be on the lookout for future Sullivan/Moynihan novels. I think that readers who are looking for a suspenseful ride will be very pleased with the novel and those who prefer their characters to be attractively flawed will enjoy keeping company with Moynihan. I recommend it with only these few reservations.
Disturbing Old-Time Religion.......2005-03-16
What a fascinating read! The first half of the book seemed like the typical American police procedural--this time set in San Diego. The murders are ghastly, and the subset of individuals who seems to be the chosen victims adds another disturbing twist to the story. Our hero, Seamus Moynihan, is a narcissist and is somewhat hard to like. He's a jock, good with the ladies, drives a muscle car, and spews testosterone in every interaction with another living thing, etc.
Once Moynihan travels to rural Alabama--that's when things get interesting. The deeper he seems to go into those dense, humid forests looking for the house where a tragedy took place 27 years ago (and may be the key to solving the string of San Diego murders), the eerier the story.
The ending is somewhat predictable, but the psychology of the criminal's behavior is plausible enough to warrant our suspension of reality to enjoy a spooky, disturbing police procedural.
Great entertainment.......2003-12-11
See storyline above.
Mark T. Sullivan never disappoints and this time I think he has exceeded his previous best.
'The Serpent's Kiss' is a highly addictive and gruesome tale, with plotting that will excite any reader of thrillers and mysteries. Interesting locales and some graphic scenes round out this intense story.
Highly recommended.
A KISS TO BUILD A SERIES ON.......2003-08-23
Having read Sullivan's previous works including PURIFICATION CEREMONY, I was pleasantly surprised at this genre-changing work. Sullivan should definitely consider more Seamus Moynihan novels.
This one is a firecracker from start to finish. The terrible deaths of these men are graphically depicted, and make the flesh crawl. Sullivan throws several suspects at you, and then saves the best for last.
Seamus is a great character, as is Nick, the television "Crocodile Dundee". The women in Seamus' life give him a little more trouble than most femme fatales.
An explosive book, with a great feel for place as well. Shifting from California to Alabama, Sullivan gives us several spooky and suspenseful scenes.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Average customer rating:
- Fast and Furious
- The Terror never stops!
- Serpent's Kiss
|
Serpent's Kiss: A Derek Stillwater Novel
Mark Terry
Manufacturer: MIDNIGHT INK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0738708828 |
Book Description
Derek Stillwater, bioterrorism expert for the Department of Homeland Security, already has his bags packed for vacation when he gets the call: Sarin gas attack on a Detroit restaurant. Fifty-two dead. The killer calls himself the Serpent and demands three million dollars. If he is not paid on time, more people will die.
Special Agent Jill Church is assigned to keep tabs on Stillwater. While the FBI brass are playing politics with the press, Stillwater and Church discover a disturbing link to a cult responsible for the sarin attacks on a Japanese subway.
Furious at Stillwaters unorthodox methods, the FBI demands his immediate arrest. Now suspended from the case, Church knows that she and Stillwater are the only ones who can stop the Serpent from releasing sarin gas at a concert. 21,000 lives are at stakeincluding her own sons.
Customer Reviews:
Fast and Furious.......2007-07-11
The Serpent's Kiss by Mark Terry
Trade Paperback, Midnight Ink, 2007
ISBN#978-0-7387-0882-9
***** Highly Recommended
Review by Douglas Quinn, Author of Blue Heron Marsh, etal
From the very first page I said to myself, "This author can really write," and throughout the novel I wasn't let down. I was immediately drawn in by Mark Terry's pacing and his wry sense of humor, which he weaves into his snappy dialogue and descriptive tapestry.
At first, when the main character was introduced, I was a little put off by how quickly he caved in about getting involved with the case,a serin gas attack-he had other, more important plans-but, hey, Terry is offering a fast-paced thriller here and there is no time for our unconventional hero, Derek Stillwater, to agonize.
As for Derek Stillwater, you've gotta love the guy. He's cranky and impatient and acts on impulses about which the rest of us only fantasize. His foisted-upon-him sidekick, FBI agent Jill Church, is cool, pragmatic and likeable. Jill's teen-aged son Michael is woven nicely into the story, including the exciting climax. Her politically connected boss, Matt Gray, is the perfect foil for both Church and Stillwater. Their antagonist, The Serpent, is diabolical and pure evil. There are many twists and turns and the ending has a nice little surprise that cleverly sets up the next Derek Stillwater novel.
Mark Terry baits his hook, casts it out into the world of the unsuspecting reader and, if you are one of the lucky ones who takes the bait and reads The Serpent's Kiss, you will be glad he reeled you in. Set in Detroit, the pace of The Serpent's Kiss is fast and furious. It's a Derek Thrillwater of a read.
The Terror never stops!.......2007-07-02
The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) are at odds in the persons of Jill Church and Derek Stillwater. Derek always rubs everyone the wrong way. Jill is ordered to keep him in the dark and out of the way. If you've read any Derek Stillwater novels, you know that isn't going to work. Instead Jill becomes embroiled in Derek's unorthodox methods, and she finds herself on the wrong side of her boss, again. But does that matter when there's a terrorist, The Serpent, out there killing people with imprudence? And each time he strikes, its at a larger target.
The action never stops, and neither do the surprises. The reader will find a lot to like in Derek Stillwater, and a lot to dislike in those who try to keep him down.
Reviewed by Wanda C. Keesey
Serpent's Kiss.......2007-06-29
There's a killer in Detroit using sarin gas to kill as many people as he can. Homeland Security Agent Dr. Derek Stillwater is trying to stop him before he kills again. It's going to be a difficult task to say the least, especially with the FBI trying to babysit him.
If you like thrillers with independent tough guy agents out to get the job done, you'll like this one. I enjoyed reading it and can't wait for the sequel.
Average customer rating:
|
The Hero of Varay
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GSZULK |
Average customer rating:
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The Hero of Varay
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9994587021 |
Book Description
Obesity has quickly become an American epidemic. If you are suffering from significant overweight and the problems that go along with it, you may be contemplating weight loss surgery. The decision to pursue weight loss surgery should not be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider. This book contains all the need-to-know information about weight loss surgery and how to decide whether or not it is right for you. Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You? helps guide you through the decision-making process by providing information on the various types of bariatric surgery available, their respective risks and benefits, the professional consultations and evaluations you will need to go through prior to surgery, as well as what to expect post-operatively. It also contains written exercises you can complete at home in order to help you work through any anxious feelings you may have as a result of your considering surgery. If you are interested in weight loss surgery as a way to improve your quality of life, both physically and emotionally, this book will ensure that you have all the tools necessary to make the best decisions.
Customer Reviews:
Insiders Guide to Weight Loss Surgery.......2007-01-30
This book tells it all. Everything you need to know, whether a patient, a prospective patient, a family member, or a professional, is covered here. It provides an easy to read, well-written, comprehensive look at the realities of these life-or-death decisions. The book covers the subject tactfully, without watering down important information. Anyone who needs information on this subject should get it here.
Cutting to the Chase.......2006-05-03
Go to any public area and it's difficult to ignore the fact that as a nation we have more and more people who are substantially overweight. It's equally true that huge numbers of diets have not worked for large numbers of people, and that in a growing number of cases significant weight is a potent health issue. For those without other options, surgery is increasingly within the realm of consideration.
Any surgery is risky and not something to be advised without extensive, individual and qualified medical consultation. The Goldberg book at least explains the issues involved and then raises the core questions and cautions that can be discussed with physicians.
Surgery is a big deal and it makes sense to get as much information as possible. Goldberg's book, co-authored with two physicians, is useful, helpful but not judgmental. For many readers, that will be the right combination. I, for one, very much liked what I saw.
Book Description
Tipping the scales at 360 pounds, author Glenn Goldberg was faced with the difficult decision to undergo weight loss surgery (WLS), a procedure that would reduce the size of his stomach dramatically. Suffering through shame at not being able to lose weight through diet and exercise, he desperately sought answers about the physical, emotional, financial, and social risks involved with WLS.
Goldberg ultimately decided to have the surgery. Although the eventual outcome of his surgery was positive, Goldberg found himself disappointed and resentful immediately following the procedure. Surviving and thriving after the surgery was far more difficult than he'd been led to believe. Goldberg decided to help others considering WLS to gain a full, fair, and honest understanding of the surgery and its implications.
Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You? details Goldberg's personal experience with WLS, from deciding to have the surgery to enduring the post-operative challenges to learning to live in a “normal” body. Goldberg presents an extremely honest account of his own physical, emotional, and lifestyle transformation. Including additional stories from others who have faced a similar situation, Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You? offers all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your weight loss options.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Women's Health Advisor, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2006. The length of the article is 869 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Is obesity surgery right for you? Reducing stomach size leads to major weight loss and relief from obesity-related conditions, but it is not without risks.
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication:
Women's Health Advisor (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 10
Issue: 12
Page: 3(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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- How I Stole Her Husband
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