Helpful Score: 14
Surreal and hilariously funny, this alternate history, the debut novel of British author Fforde, will appeal to lovers of zany genre work (think Douglas Adams) and lovers of classic literature alike. The scene: Great Britain circa 1985, but a Great Britain where literature has a prominent place in everyday life. For pennies, corner Will-Speak machines will quote Shakespeare; Richard III is performed with audience participation la Rocky Horror and children swap Henry Fielding bubble-gum cards. In this world where high lit matters, Special Operative Thursday Next (literary detective) seeks to retrieve the stolen manuscript of Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit. The evil Acheron Hades has plans for it: after kidnapping Next's mad-scientist uncle, Mycroft, and commandeering Mycroft's invention, the Prose Portal, which enables people to cross into a literary text, he sends a minion into Chuzzlewit to seize and kill a minor character, thus forever changing the novel. Worse is to come. When the manuscript of Jane Eyre, Next's favorite novel, disappears, and Jane herself is spirited out of the book, Next must pursue Hades inside Charlotte Bront's masterpiece. The plethora of oddly named characters can be confusing, and the story's episodic nature means that the action moves forward in fits and starts. The cartoonish characters are either all good or all bad, but the villain's comeuppance is still satisfying. Witty and clever, this literate romp heralds a fun new series set in a wonderfully original world.
Helpful Score: 13
A very impressive first novel by author Fforde. In his alternate England circa 1985, literature plays an important part. There are animatronic Will-Speak machines that for a few pence quote Shakespeare; Richard III is akin to Rocky Horror complete with audience participation, and the LiteraTec division of the SpecOps stamps out literary crime.
The protagonist Thursday Next is a seasoned LiteraTec. But when she's temporarily promoted to SO-5 status to assist in the capture of her former professor turned Master Criminal, she finds herself in over her head. Master Criminal Hades has discovered a little secret. If he changes events in an original manuscript he can forever alter all future printings. These changes are immediate and permanent unless the original can be restored. When he kidnaps Jane Eyre from the pages of Bronte's manuscript, fans are in an uproar, since the original is written in the first person without Jane there is no story. Thursday and her cohorts jump in to rescue Jane, and restore the beloved novel.
Jasper Fforde has quite an imagination, and an off-the-wall sense of humor that made this book a delight to read. I'm looking forward to the following novels in the series.
The protagonist Thursday Next is a seasoned LiteraTec. But when she's temporarily promoted to SO-5 status to assist in the capture of her former professor turned Master Criminal, she finds herself in over her head. Master Criminal Hades has discovered a little secret. If he changes events in an original manuscript he can forever alter all future printings. These changes are immediate and permanent unless the original can be restored. When he kidnaps Jane Eyre from the pages of Bronte's manuscript, fans are in an uproar, since the original is written in the first person without Jane there is no story. Thursday and her cohorts jump in to rescue Jane, and restore the beloved novel.
Jasper Fforde has quite an imagination, and an off-the-wall sense of humor that made this book a delight to read. I'm looking forward to the following novels in the series.
Helpful Score: 11
Imagine a Britain where Winston Churchill never lived past his teen years; a Britain that has been at war with Russia for over a hundred years; a Britain where time travel is practiced; a Britain where literature is as popular as sports or reality shows are in our reality. This is the Britain where Tuesday Next lives. She is an agent for a government agency that solves crimes involving literature. When the evil Acheron Hades begins using a device that can send humans into the world of a poem or a novel, he uses it for his own gain.
For book geeks, The Eyre Affair is a hilarious treat. Jasper Fford's wit is on par with Douglas Adams and his imagination is reminiscent of J. K. Rowling. Many lit references abound in the story, and I'm sure I missed many of them, but the ones I caught were great. The first two/thirds of the story really serve to set up the last third, where Agent Next must rescue Jane Eyre, who has been pulled into our reality by Hades. If the reader has read Jane Eyre, there is probably no need to re-read it for The Eyre Affair, but the reader who has never read Charlotte Bronte's classic, I recommend reading it first the get the full effect.
The Eyre Affair is my favorite new book. It's just so much jolly-good fun.
For book geeks, The Eyre Affair is a hilarious treat. Jasper Fford's wit is on par with Douglas Adams and his imagination is reminiscent of J. K. Rowling. Many lit references abound in the story, and I'm sure I missed many of them, but the ones I caught were great. The first two/thirds of the story really serve to set up the last third, where Agent Next must rescue Jane Eyre, who has been pulled into our reality by Hades. If the reader has read Jane Eyre, there is probably no need to re-read it for The Eyre Affair, but the reader who has never read Charlotte Bronte's classic, I recommend reading it first the get the full effect.
The Eyre Affair is my favorite new book. It's just so much jolly-good fun.
Helpful Score: 8
If character is king, Fforde's literary detective Thursday Next is a Queen. Humorous writing is always at risk of devolving into some long tedious joke that has lost its freshness, think child with new knock-knock joke book.
Main character Thursday Next provides enough cohesion to hold this fantasy world together. With a solid Next, Fforde cuts loose with what turns out to be a rather good story. He keeps the reader asking, what's next, rather than, how much longer.
Adversary Acheron Hades is also well written. He is by his own description not mad, just "differently moralled." And anybody but Next has only two chances of catching him: fat and thin.
As reviews mention, this first-in-a-series book is a humorous action packed mystery/fantasy with non-stop literary references. Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett always comes to mind with such clever off-beat British writing. If you enjoy them, you will enjoy Fforde as well.
Unlike Adams/Pratchett/Tolkien, it is telling BN has this series in literature/fiction and not science fiction/fantasy. Recommended. Knowledge of Jane Eyre not required.
Main character Thursday Next provides enough cohesion to hold this fantasy world together. With a solid Next, Fforde cuts loose with what turns out to be a rather good story. He keeps the reader asking, what's next, rather than, how much longer.
Adversary Acheron Hades is also well written. He is by his own description not mad, just "differently moralled." And anybody but Next has only two chances of catching him: fat and thin.
As reviews mention, this first-in-a-series book is a humorous action packed mystery/fantasy with non-stop literary references. Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett always comes to mind with such clever off-beat British writing. If you enjoy them, you will enjoy Fforde as well.
Unlike Adams/Pratchett/Tolkien, it is telling BN has this series in literature/fiction and not science fiction/fantasy. Recommended. Knowledge of Jane Eyre not required.
Helpful Score: 6
Jasper Fforde creates a not-to-be-missed world for any book lover. Fforde's writing is unfailingly clever.
Helpful Score: 5
What fun! This is a mystery, sci-fi, comedy with a little romance. I was laughing out loud. Highly recommend this and anything by Fforde.
Helpful Score: 5
Quirky and interesting. This book was recommended to me by a friend. i thought it was funny but to echo others, i do feel some of the literary puns went over my head. Very imaginative, had the "through the looking glass" feel to it.
Helpful Score: 4
A very impressive first novel by author Fforde. In his alternate England circa 1985, literature plays an important part. There are animatronic Will-Speak machines that for a few pence quote Shakespeare; Richard III is akin to Rocky Horror complete with audience participation, and the LiteraTec division of the SpecOps stamps out literary crime.
The protagonist Thursday Next is a seasoned LiteraTec. But when she's temporarily promoted to SO-5 status to assist in the capture of her former professor turned Master Criminal, she finds herself in over her head. Master Criminal Hades has discovered a little secret. If he changes events in an original manuscript he can forever alter all future printings. These changes are immediate and permanent unless the original can be restored. When he kidnaps Jane Eyre from the pages of Bronte's manuscript, fans are in an uproar, since the original is written in the first person without Jane there is no story. Thursday and her cohorts jump in to rescue Jane, and restore the beloved novel.
Jasper Fforde has quite an imagination, and an off-the-wall sense of humor that made this book a delight to read. I'm looking forward to the following novels in the series.
The protagonist Thursday Next is a seasoned LiteraTec. But when she's temporarily promoted to SO-5 status to assist in the capture of her former professor turned Master Criminal, she finds herself in over her head. Master Criminal Hades has discovered a little secret. If he changes events in an original manuscript he can forever alter all future printings. These changes are immediate and permanent unless the original can be restored. When he kidnaps Jane Eyre from the pages of Bronte's manuscript, fans are in an uproar, since the original is written in the first person without Jane there is no story. Thursday and her cohorts jump in to rescue Jane, and restore the beloved novel.
Jasper Fforde has quite an imagination, and an off-the-wall sense of humor that made this book a delight to read. I'm looking forward to the following novels in the series.
Helpful Score: 4
This is a clever book bordering on fantasy set in a real world. Detective Thursday is transported into the novel Jane Eyre to guard the original writing. A fun read!
Helpful Score: 3
I realize I'm in the minority, but I just did not enjoy this book. It was particularly disappointing because the concept sounded so promising, and I've read Jane Eyre many times. Unlike most of the other reviewers, I did not think it was funny or very clever. Obviously, I won't be reading the others in the series.
Helpful Score: 2
I have to admit that I've never read 'Jane Eyre.' I only got around to reading 'Wuthering Heights' not too long ago, and found it to be both unimpressive (stylistically) and annoying (plotwise) (Heathcliff was NOT romantic, he was a right bastard) - so I don't maintain high hopes for her sister's book, especially considering what I've heard of the story (Rochester sounds like another cut from the same cloth).
However, while there are definitely elements of 'The Eyre Affair' that will be found much more amusing by those who are reasonably familiar with 19th-century English literature, it's not really necessary to have read anything else to appreciate this book.
Basically, it's a mystery set in an alternate-world England.
The Crimean War has raged on for over 130 years, there are all kinds of Spec-Ops divisions in the government - including one for time travel - and technology has progressed rather stragely, resulting in a mix that we might find both oddly Victorian and futuristic. Most significantly, however, in this alternate world, the British (and, seemingly, everyone) are obsessed with art and literature. Gangs riot over the virtues of classicist painting vs. surrealism, and political groups can be based on opinion over who wrote Shakespeare's plays. In this milieu, it's no surprise that there's a need for the LiteraTec division of Spec-Ops, which deals with literary crime. Usually this has to do with forgery and such, but when our book opens, agent Thursday Next gets dragged into a mystery - Acheron Hades, the third most evil man on England's 'Wanted' list has stolen an original manuscript - and, unfortunately, thanks to a device invented by Thursday's mad-scientist uncle (who's been kidnapped) has the ability to reach into that manuscript and grab - or kill - characters, irrevocably changing all versions of the book forever. The first manuscript Hades steals isn't of prime import - the obscure Dickens work 'Martin Chuzzlewit' - but when he gets his hands on the beloved 'Jane Eyre' straits are dire indeed.
Can Thursday apprehend Hades, rescue her aunt and uncle, and preserve 'Jane Eyre'?
Fforde pays just a bit too much attention to his own cleverness, and not quite enough to the plot and background (who is Hades? Why is he so invincible and evil?) - but the story is definitely original - and a great deal of fun. I've added the 'Next' two sequels to my wish list!
However, while there are definitely elements of 'The Eyre Affair' that will be found much more amusing by those who are reasonably familiar with 19th-century English literature, it's not really necessary to have read anything else to appreciate this book.
Basically, it's a mystery set in an alternate-world England.
The Crimean War has raged on for over 130 years, there are all kinds of Spec-Ops divisions in the government - including one for time travel - and technology has progressed rather stragely, resulting in a mix that we might find both oddly Victorian and futuristic. Most significantly, however, in this alternate world, the British (and, seemingly, everyone) are obsessed with art and literature. Gangs riot over the virtues of classicist painting vs. surrealism, and political groups can be based on opinion over who wrote Shakespeare's plays. In this milieu, it's no surprise that there's a need for the LiteraTec division of Spec-Ops, which deals with literary crime. Usually this has to do with forgery and such, but when our book opens, agent Thursday Next gets dragged into a mystery - Acheron Hades, the third most evil man on England's 'Wanted' list has stolen an original manuscript - and, unfortunately, thanks to a device invented by Thursday's mad-scientist uncle (who's been kidnapped) has the ability to reach into that manuscript and grab - or kill - characters, irrevocably changing all versions of the book forever. The first manuscript Hades steals isn't of prime import - the obscure Dickens work 'Martin Chuzzlewit' - but when he gets his hands on the beloved 'Jane Eyre' straits are dire indeed.
Can Thursday apprehend Hades, rescue her aunt and uncle, and preserve 'Jane Eyre'?
Fforde pays just a bit too much attention to his own cleverness, and not quite enough to the plot and background (who is Hades? Why is he so invincible and evil?) - but the story is definitely original - and a great deal of fun. I've added the 'Next' two sequels to my wish list!
Helpful Score: 2
I'd heard about The Eyre Affair before - something about an agent named Thursday Next and being able to hop into a book and meet the characters and possibly change the outcome of the book's story. I was sort of "meh" over this idea, until I started reading it. Then I was surprised - hey, this book is kind of *good*. I highly recommend this to literature fans. If you are a Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Bronte, Dickens or english history fan there are lots of little inside jokes going on here. Even if you aren't so into these things, this book is still enjoyable for the world building alone. This is an alternate universe where people have cloning kits to create pet dodos (Thursdays dodo is a version 1.2)! And that's the tip of the iceberg! I loved this.
I enjoyed the book, but am not well-read enough to understand all the literary references in it.
Helpful Score: 2
Maybe I'm just a lit fan, but this book was fantastic! It mixes English literature, history, science fiction, fantasy, and fiction (how's that for alliteration?) and weaves it all into a fascinating story you won't believe and can't put down. You will love it!
Helpful Score: 2
Great fun! This alternate-universe fantasy is reminiscent of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, but is its own creature. This is the first in the series -- I'll be looking for more!
Helpful Score: 2
Mystery/scifantasy. Very possibly the most fascinating, imaginative, inventive novel I have ever read, at least since Tristram Shandy, and that goes back a ways! Having said that, I think Fforde's follow up, The Well of Lost Plots, was even better. But this is the first in the series, and should by all means be read first.
Helpful Score: 2
Original story, but a little forced at times. The literary humor is fantastic and the action isn't too bad either.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is filled with clever wordplay, literary allusion and bibliowit. It combines Monty Python, Harry Potter, Stephen Hawking, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Quirky and charming!
Helpful Score: 2
I was going to give this book 2 stars, but opted for 3 stars thanks to the last chapter alone. It totally reignited my interest in the characters, and the universe they live in. Now I really want to read the next book in the series in hopes of getting answers to some of the questions that arose from the ending of this novel.
The best part of this book is by far the introductions to each chapter. They were excerpts from the private diaries, biographies, or history books of the characters or the universe. What a fantastic idea that allowed the author to provide extra information to the reader without slowing the pace of the novel. Sadly though, with half of the chapters their introductions were more interesting that their contents.
Thursday got on my nerves, Landen pulled at my heart, Spike grabbed my interest, and Bowden was completely forgettable. There were SO MANY characters keeping them all straight was just impossible, and frankly wasn't a priority.
All of the allusions, citings, and debates over various pieces of literature were interesting but slowed the pace of the book to an absolute crawl.
All in all I think I also would have enjoyed this book much more if the main plot had not revolved around the novel 'Jane Eyre' since I really dislike that book. If it had been Pride and Prejudice I would have been turning the pages feverishly. So maybe my boredom with this book stemmed mostly from that.
The best part of this book is by far the introductions to each chapter. They were excerpts from the private diaries, biographies, or history books of the characters or the universe. What a fantastic idea that allowed the author to provide extra information to the reader without slowing the pace of the novel. Sadly though, with half of the chapters their introductions were more interesting that their contents.
Thursday got on my nerves, Landen pulled at my heart, Spike grabbed my interest, and Bowden was completely forgettable. There were SO MANY characters keeping them all straight was just impossible, and frankly wasn't a priority.
All of the allusions, citings, and debates over various pieces of literature were interesting but slowed the pace of the book to an absolute crawl.
All in all I think I also would have enjoyed this book much more if the main plot had not revolved around the novel 'Jane Eyre' since I really dislike that book. If it had been Pride and Prejudice I would have been turning the pages feverishly. So maybe my boredom with this book stemmed mostly from that.
Helpful Score: 2
Quirky book. I consider myself fairly well-read, but I had the uncanny feeling literary in-jokes were flying over my head on most every page of this book. I'm not sure I liked that. I enjoyed the story (especially the part where they went "inside" the book and changed the narrative, though that was unfortunately a short part in the book), but I don't think I liked it enough to continue reading the series.
Helpful Score: 2
Started reading these on the recomendation of one of my daughters. Enjoyed it, but keeping up with all the characters took more energy out of my reading experience than I cared to devote. Did enjoy seeing literature from someone else's perspective!
Helpful Score: 2
This is the first book in the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. This was a great book; it's wildly creative and very interesting to read with excellent characters.
Thursday Next is a Literatec; in a world where literature is more important than ever. She comes to the rescue when books are illegally copied or original copies are stolen. Literature is king in a world where Shakespeare vending machines are on every street corner. The world gets a bit more complicated when you consider that Time Travel is also possible. Thursday's father is a rebel ChronoGuard. The ChronoGuard helps to keep time right. One funny part in the book is where one of the Guard is talking about how he is 28 years old, has clocked 190 years of work hours, and has a wife in her 80's; he thought the benefits of the job would make up for all of that. Despite all the efforts of the Special Operatives (LiteraTec and ChronoGuard alike) their nemesis Acheron Hades has found a way to kidnap characters out of literature; making books change forever and stories cease to exist...it is Thursday's job to stop Hades.
There are a number of great characters in this book; all of them have great dimension and creative personalities. The world itself is wildly creative and takes a little bit getting used to at first; but once it gets going it is an amazing place to read about. The book is action packed, dryly comical, and very creative. It is the first book I have read the incorporates a military state, time travel, fantasy-bleeding into reality, mystery, action, high-brow literary discussion, werewolves, and vampires all into one book. If it sounds a bit packed, it is. This is a dense book and you need to keep your wits about you while you read it. While Thursday may not be the most charismatic character ever, you will find yourself loving her by the end anyway.
I am so glad I picked up this book. I just loved it. I love it when I get to read a book that is really different and stands out on it's own. I look forward to the rest of this series.
Thursday Next is a Literatec; in a world where literature is more important than ever. She comes to the rescue when books are illegally copied or original copies are stolen. Literature is king in a world where Shakespeare vending machines are on every street corner. The world gets a bit more complicated when you consider that Time Travel is also possible. Thursday's father is a rebel ChronoGuard. The ChronoGuard helps to keep time right. One funny part in the book is where one of the Guard is talking about how he is 28 years old, has clocked 190 years of work hours, and has a wife in her 80's; he thought the benefits of the job would make up for all of that. Despite all the efforts of the Special Operatives (LiteraTec and ChronoGuard alike) their nemesis Acheron Hades has found a way to kidnap characters out of literature; making books change forever and stories cease to exist...it is Thursday's job to stop Hades.
There are a number of great characters in this book; all of them have great dimension and creative personalities. The world itself is wildly creative and takes a little bit getting used to at first; but once it gets going it is an amazing place to read about. The book is action packed, dryly comical, and very creative. It is the first book I have read the incorporates a military state, time travel, fantasy-bleeding into reality, mystery, action, high-brow literary discussion, werewolves, and vampires all into one book. If it sounds a bit packed, it is. This is a dense book and you need to keep your wits about you while you read it. While Thursday may not be the most charismatic character ever, you will find yourself loving her by the end anyway.
I am so glad I picked up this book. I just loved it. I love it when I get to read a book that is really different and stands out on it's own. I look forward to the rest of this series.
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful writer with a bit of sci-fi and romance and mystery all wrapped into one. When I first read this book a few years ago, I had no idea who Charlotte Bronte was or anything really about Jane Eyre. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the story and was able to piece together the details of that book as well.
The focus on all things literal, the intros to each chapter (with scraps of info from other books, diaries and manuals from the Thursday Next world), the time jumps back and forth - all make this a super fun read.
Thursday Next is a fun, smart and courageous character whose family and world is full of wonderful characters. I HIGHLY recommend this series.
The focus on all things literal, the intros to each chapter (with scraps of info from other books, diaries and manuals from the Thursday Next world), the time jumps back and forth - all make this a super fun read.
Thursday Next is a fun, smart and courageous character whose family and world is full of wonderful characters. I HIGHLY recommend this series.
Helpful Score: 2
Jasper Fforde knows how to create an alternate universe and make it believable. His writing is immersion style. He just jumps right in with the story, and expects the reader to go along for the ride in this new universe. He doesnt make long explanations cause, it is what it is, and it is normal way of this universe, so why explain? You catch on rather quickly to the ways of this alternate universe. He did the same thing in Shades of Grey [The Road to High Saffron, Bk 1] BTW a sequel to this book comes out i 2013
The other great thing is this alternate universe is steeped in Literature. And who wouldnt want to be able to magically step inside a poem, or the book Jane Eyre? So readers like us will enjoy the book theme.
You do not have to have read pieces of great literature to follow what is happening in the story.
The other great thing is this alternate universe is steeped in Literature. And who wouldnt want to be able to magically step inside a poem, or the book Jane Eyre? So readers like us will enjoy the book theme.
You do not have to have read pieces of great literature to follow what is happening in the story.
Helpful Score: 2
Who wouldn't love a book in which the boss is named for false labor pains?
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book. I like to read about unique worlds that are similar to our own with a twist. In this case, the twist was the porous nature of the separation between reality and fiction. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is a lot of fun -- incredibly clever and a real treat for anyone who loves literature. Funny, funny stuff.
Helpful Score: 2
This book came highly recommended from a friend, and I am so glad I listened to her. It is not your usual straight-forward sci-fi, but boy is it fun! If you can just roll with the vast differences between our world in 1985 and this one that seems similar but decidedly different (dodos are the favorite pet and the Crimean War has been going on for 131 years), you will probably enjoy this book immensely. Definitely silly in places, but highly entertaining.
Helpful Score: 1
A great melding of clever literary juxtaposition and mystery. With the heroine so firmly tongue in cheek that you will chuckle despite yourself. Will Thursday survive the Acheron Hades debacle? Will she save the Jane Eyre? will she be saved by Rochester? And what about Mr. Park-Laine from the Crimean war and the ill fated charge of the light armoured brigade???
Helpful Score: 1
this IS a great book. Our library had it in the regular fiction until I read it and said "this is really not for the non Fantasy reader!" I loved this book- it is in its own category.
Helpful Score: 1
Fforde uses time, space, and the beauty of the written word to overtake his readers. The Eyre Affair is a bit of a slow start to an incredibly satisfying series. Once you start, you will crave more!
Very unique and interesting novel, with elements of mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and classic literature.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a great adventure. It took me a day or so to get into it, because it's a bit confusing at first, but the writer is very clever and crafted his own world to work with. I'd recommend this book to any book-lover!
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't exactly not like this book, but it was not at all what I expected. It took until about page 260 for me to be interested. And only another 40 pages before I was bored again. I was very intrigued by the premise, and have had this on my shelf for years. I'm kinda sad that it didn't live up to what I thought it should have. This is probably in part due to the fact that I hated Jane Eyre, so maybe if another book had been chosen to start the series, I would have continued on. But alas, this was not the case, and I won't be continuing. Though I will give kudos for the character names: Thursday Next, Jack Schitt, Paige Turner, Analogy and Hades!
Helpful Score: 1
I tried reading this book in high school and did not understand it at all because I didn't get any of the literature or time travel jokes. After studying English at college, I re-read it and found it hilarious and clever! If you know your classics (I especially urge you to read Jane Eyre first or else you will be mightily confused), then you'll probably love this book as much as I did.
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful fantasy, mystery, book-lover's book.
Helpful Score: 1
A fascinating idea about a futuristic, parallel worldish Literary Detective. Fforde's later books in this series get better and better.
Helpful Score: 1
The Eyre Affair is one of the first purely inventive books I've read in a long time. The narrative asks you to just suspend your reality and go into Thursday's, which is just fine with me. You get to meet some of the fictional characters you always wanted to, and trust me, they aren't always what you think. The story is so creative and original, it's nearly impossible to put down. Especially a treat for book lovers and regular readers - there are tons of visual word plays and name gags that only the slightly more literate will catch. (Ex: a biographer named Millon de Floss. I love it.)
Highly addictive! A definite read.
Highly addictive! A definite read.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun and fantastic alternate reality involving lots of literary figures, mythos, and of course, Jane Eyre. Thoroly enjoyable (there was some swearing, but not in-your-face kind) with good characters, great plot, keen dialog, and lots of humor. I might have to get into the rest of the series.
Helpful Score: 1
An excellent book for all readers but especially fun for those that are literary buffs. Jasper Fforde's story is very enjoyable for its adventure with a bit of sci-fi/fantasy. The literary references are quite enjoyable especially if you catch them. I am sure I missed quite a few myself! The main character, Thursday Next, has all the necessary characteristics for a great heroine. I look forward to reading more Thursday Next tales.
Helpful Score: 1
This was such a fun book to read! I wish I were more familiar with the books in the novel, and perhaps I will understand more of the humor and wit once I have read Jane Eyre, but even in my literary ignorance this book is a classic! I am so excited to read more of Fforde's works. The comparison to Douglas Adams is definitely an accurate one.
Helpful Score: 1
Strange, strange strange..I felt a lot lost , so many "inside" refrences within this strange world. I did get the irony and most of the litarary refrences, but felt I needed a referance to fully appreciate the cleverness of this book. Also alot of stories within the story. Perhaps I need to read more of this authors books to really get it.
ok, coming back after reading another one. I have come to the conclusion that the author is just too clever for his own good. Yes he is smart, funny and clever with all the double intendre's etc.. but stick to the story!
ok, coming back after reading another one. I have come to the conclusion that the author is just too clever for his own good. Yes he is smart, funny and clever with all the double intendre's etc.. but stick to the story!
Helpful Score: 1
I was impressed by the imagination of the author--the ideas he came up with I never would have thought of. I kept thinking he's as imaginative as J.K. Rowling. Others have described it well enough, so I'll just comment that it is difficult to classify, & I think if it was classified only in the fantasy section, it would miss people like me who don't generally read fantasy, but being a lover of books, really enjoyed this. Some of the humor is subtle (e.g., if you've noticed the unusual names in this Britain, then the following is funny: "Hi, my name's John Smith." "Huh--unusual name.") Some familiarity with British lit is helpful, but I think if you've at least seen the movie, that's probably enough. What I would've found helpful is a British-American glossary put into the American version.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite books! The humor in it makes me giggle out loud, and the literary references appeal to those familiar with the classics. I recommend this to all my friends.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very enjoyable, unique book. A great mystery with lots of twists. Very clever.
Helpful Score: 1
I was disappointed in this book, to say the least. The synopsis sounded very promising, but I just couldn't get into the book. I forced myself to read over 1/2 of the book, but it never got any better.
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable books with fun characters. This is the first book with Thursday Next.
Helpful Score: 1
Great read for literture lovers. Can't wait to start the next in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Great fun!!! I immediately went out and bought the second book!!
Helpful Score: 1
You don't have to have read "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte to enjoy this book, the author fills you in as you go along. Detective spoof in Alternate-History England.
Helpful Score: 1
Phenomenally funny, yet a great serious story at the same time, this is a wild ride in the absurd. If you like Gaiman, Pratchett, Adams or the like, you'll adore Fforde.
Helpful Score: 1
It was not exactly what I expected-more of the fantasy & magical type than I thought. A lot of literary references that were fun.
Helpful Score: 1
Had me laughing out loud. A great treat of a book for any lit-geek.
Helpful Score: 1
It's hard to get an idea of what this book is about by reading a plot summary. You just have to give it a shot. It is an engrossing book, funny and surreal. It wakes you up.
Helpful Score: 1
My guess is that unless youre in the mood for something entirely zany this book will leave you cold. Fortunately I was and so I had a great time reading it, laughing all the way and insisting on reciting entire sections to my poor husband who didn't always appreciate being interrupted. It probably also helped to have majored in English literature and to enjoy occasional forays into the realm of speculative fiction where alternative universes and time travel are commonplace. In this case what made for the most fun was the fact that in this version of London circa 1985, life revolved around literature even for the crooks and criminals who go around kidnapping major characters from classic books which is what happened here when Jane Eyre is suddenly snatched from the famous Bronte novel. Its a world where people can literally get lost in a good book, running the risk of changing important plot lines forever, or being stuck in literary landscapes as did one unlucky character who found herself wandering around for days looking at daffodils with William Wordsworth. Naturally this kind of world requires extra vigilance on the part of the authorities responsible for keeping plot lines intact and so someone like literary detective Thursday Next has her work cut out for her. Fortunately shes up to the task and thanks to Ffordes imagination its a hoot following along as she hunts down the villain responsible for stealing the original manuscript of Charles Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit before the book is altered forever.
Helpful Score: 1
whimisical satirical, part Bridget Jones, Part Nancy Drew, part Dirty Harry. Welcome to surreal version of Great Britain circa 1985,time travel is routine, cloning is reality and literature is taken VERY seriously! Clever word play, etc.
Helpful Score: 1
It took me awhile to get into this book. I know this series has a huge fan base but it didn't grab me all that much. I enjoyed it more by the time I finished it but I'm not quite rushing out to buy the rest of the series, although I anticipate reading them at some time in the future.
Michele (luluinphilly) -
Helpful Score: 1
No, no, NO! I really wanted to love this book. The premise intrigued me. A detective from the literary unit is asked to help with a case involving fictional characters being kidnapped! Cool! But, no. I couldn't get past the first 100 pages. The alternate time really threw me for a loop. I'm not that great on world history and having Thursday's (the heroine) time-traveling father pop in-and-out asking historical questions was distracting. I found myself going to the computer to make sure if that's what happened in my universe or in the alternate universe more than I was enjoying the reading. Some funny bits such as an enemy's name (Jack Schitt as in ... you don't know Jack Sh**!). He ends up in one of my favorite author's poems (Poe) and changes the entire poem to accommodate Thursday's name. The cons outwayed the pros in continuing reading this book. That being said, hopefully, someone else will like it.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful first book in the Tuesday Next series.
Helpful Score: 1
LOVED this book - fast paced, witty, imaginative, I laughed out loud many times, and grinned through most of it. Can't wait to read the others in the series!
The plot is unusual and that alone kept it interesting. There is some humor and the literary references are amusing. Beyond that I found it kind of ordinary. Worth reading and I will probably try the next one in the series.
I recently discovered Jasper Fforde's work, and now consider him my favorite contemporary author. The Eyre Affair is the first of the "Thursday Next" series, and I can hardly wait for the sixth installment to be published! If you like P.G. Wodehouse or Douglas Adams, you will love Jasper Fforde and Thursday Next.
Fforde's novel is different and fun. It is a combination of fantasy and suspense with many literary references and allusions.
This book is so good that I have bought it 3 times!! (After losing it 2 times to people I have lent it to) I think I've read it at least 3 times as well and plan on reading it again in the near future!
This is an amusing book that would be most likely enjoyed and appreciated by people that are at least somewhat familiar with Jane Eyre. Those that like British humor will appreciate the humor scattered throughout the book. Thursday Next is a great heroine.
Completely enjoyable read for those of us who like original worlds. I love fantasy and science fiction and odd places that creative minds think up and make real and Jasper Fforde fits the bill entirely. The heroine is interesting with her military service and fits our time with so many young veterans with awful experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan and her love is also a vet and an amputee. Just kinda cool to bring characters in with that background but not make it the sum of their existence by any degree. The book is fun to read, the world a little confusing at times but still easy to get into.
Love this series -- funny and very literate. Keeps you on your toes trying to figure out all the literary references.
This is a jolly good book, blending the surreal with some truly intelligent parody!
I love Jasper Fforde! This book is so fun. It really keeps you thinking.
Very creative, clever, and witty. The most fun of any book I've read.
Fascinating, bewildering, constantly amusing and surprising.
This was just as good the second time around. The plot on these stories are so convoluted and complicated going in for the second exposure only enhances the enjoyment. Also, having read some of the series now, I can enjoy some of the time jumping events better.
In this first in the series, Thursday Next, literary detective in London, goes back to her home town Swindon after a botched manuscript theft recovery mission leaves two of her colleagues dead and her injured. What happens in Swindon makes that look like child's play.
In this first in the series, Thursday Next, literary detective in London, goes back to her home town Swindon after a botched manuscript theft recovery mission leaves two of her colleagues dead and her injured. What happens in Swindon makes that look like child's play.
A really enjoyable book!
Fforde's style is different but fascinating. The book is a combination of fantasy and classic literature with many literary references and allusions.
Jennifer O. (bookloverjenni) reviewed The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next, Bk 1) on + 57 more book reviews
A great mix of classic literature and fantasy/sci-fi. Even has a bit of paranormal mixed in. The love story is a bit limp but overall a fun and original read.
great book that twists literary history/events into a detective novel.
I love this book and the entire series. So clever and funny.
Somewhat odd, but may read author again.
Clever and different.
The book became more interesting as the story unfolded, but I do not plan to continue with the series.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Fast fun read.
Welcome to a world where you can literally get lost in a book and characters come to life.
From Publishers Weekly
HSurreal and hilariously funny, this alternate history, the debut novel of British author Fforde, will appeal to lovers of zany genre work (think Douglas Adams) and lovers of classic literature alike. The scene: Great Britain circa 1985, but a Great Britain where literature has a prominent place in everyday life. For pennies, corner Will-Speak machines will quote Shakespeare; Richard III is performed with audience participation la Rocky Horror and children swap Henry Fielding bubble-gum cards. In this world where high lit matters, Special Operative Thursday Next (literary detective) seeks to retrieve the stolen manuscript of Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit. The evil Acheron Hades has plans for it: after kidnapping Next's mad-scientist uncle, Mycroft, and commandeering Mycroft's invention, the Prose Portal, which enables people to cross into a literary text, he sends a minion into Chuzzlewit to seize and kill a minor character, thus forever changing the novel. Worse is to come. When the manuscript of Jane Eyre, Next's favorite novel, disappears, and Jane herself is spirited out of the book, Next must pursue Hades inside Charlotte Bront's masterpiece. The plethora of oddly named characters can be confusing, and the story's episodic nature means that the action moves forward in fits and starts. The cartoonish characters are either all good or all bad, but the villain's comeuppance is still satisfying. Witty and clever, this literate romp heralds a fun new series set in a wonderfully original world. (Jan. 28)Forecast: With a six-city author tour, a well-conceived Web site at www.thursdaynext.com and crossover appeal to Bront fans, this is likely to attract more attention than the usual first genre novel.
HSurreal and hilariously funny, this alternate history, the debut novel of British author Fforde, will appeal to lovers of zany genre work (think Douglas Adams) and lovers of classic literature alike. The scene: Great Britain circa 1985, but a Great Britain where literature has a prominent place in everyday life. For pennies, corner Will-Speak machines will quote Shakespeare; Richard III is performed with audience participation la Rocky Horror and children swap Henry Fielding bubble-gum cards. In this world where high lit matters, Special Operative Thursday Next (literary detective) seeks to retrieve the stolen manuscript of Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit. The evil Acheron Hades has plans for it: after kidnapping Next's mad-scientist uncle, Mycroft, and commandeering Mycroft's invention, the Prose Portal, which enables people to cross into a literary text, he sends a minion into Chuzzlewit to seize and kill a minor character, thus forever changing the novel. Worse is to come. When the manuscript of Jane Eyre, Next's favorite novel, disappears, and Jane herself is spirited out of the book, Next must pursue Hades inside Charlotte Bront's masterpiece. The plethora of oddly named characters can be confusing, and the story's episodic nature means that the action moves forward in fits and starts. The cartoonish characters are either all good or all bad, but the villain's comeuppance is still satisfying. Witty and clever, this literate romp heralds a fun new series set in a wonderfully original world. (Jan. 28)Forecast: With a six-city author tour, a well-conceived Web site at www.thursdaynext.com and crossover appeal to Bront fans, this is likely to attract more attention than the usual first genre novel.
****I enjoyed this book very much. It will introduce you to Thursday Next, and is a mix of mystery and Science Fiction.
"Filled with clever wordplay, literary allusion, and bibliowit, THE EYRE AFFAIR combines elements of MONTY PYTHON< HARRY POTTER< STEPHEN HAWKING< and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. But its quirky charm is all its own"--The Wall Street Journal
From Publisher's Weekly:
Surreal and hilariously funny, this alternate history, the debut novel of British author Fforde, will appeal to lovers of zany genre work (think Douglas Adams) and lovers of classic literature alike. The scene: Great Britain circa 1985, but a Great Britain where literature has a prominent place in everyday life. For pennies, corner Will-Speak machines will quote Shakespeare; Richard III is performed with audience participation la Rocky Horror and children swap Henry Fielding bubble-gum cards. In this world where high lit matters, Special Operative Thursday Next (literary detective) seeks to retrieve the stolen manuscript of Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit. The evil Acheron Hades has plans for it: after kidnapping Next's mad-scientist uncle, Mycroft, and commandeering Mycroft's invention, the Prose Portal, which enables people to cross into a literary text, he sends a minion into Chuzzlewit to seize and kill a minor character, thus forever changing the novel. Worse is to come. When the manuscript of Jane Eyre, Next's favorite novel, disappears, and Jane herself is spirited out of the book, Next must pursue Hades inside Charlotte Bront's masterpiece. The plethora of oddly named characters can be confusing, and the story's episodic nature means that the action moves forward in fits and starts. The cartoonish characters are either all good or all bad, but the villain's comeuppance is still satisfying. Witty and clever, this literate romp heralds a fun new series set in a wonderfully original world.
Surreal and hilariously funny, this alternate history, the debut novel of British author Fforde, will appeal to lovers of zany genre work (think Douglas Adams) and lovers of classic literature alike. The scene: Great Britain circa 1985, but a Great Britain where literature has a prominent place in everyday life. For pennies, corner Will-Speak machines will quote Shakespeare; Richard III is performed with audience participation la Rocky Horror and children swap Henry Fielding bubble-gum cards. In this world where high lit matters, Special Operative Thursday Next (literary detective) seeks to retrieve the stolen manuscript of Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit. The evil Acheron Hades has plans for it: after kidnapping Next's mad-scientist uncle, Mycroft, and commandeering Mycroft's invention, the Prose Portal, which enables people to cross into a literary text, he sends a minion into Chuzzlewit to seize and kill a minor character, thus forever changing the novel. Worse is to come. When the manuscript of Jane Eyre, Next's favorite novel, disappears, and Jane herself is spirited out of the book, Next must pursue Hades inside Charlotte Bront's masterpiece. The plethora of oddly named characters can be confusing, and the story's episodic nature means that the action moves forward in fits and starts. The cartoonish characters are either all good or all bad, but the villain's comeuppance is still satisfying. Witty and clever, this literate romp heralds a fun new series set in a wonderfully original world.
A literary Britain that never existed, where everything fictional is now real. Bizarre and entertaining. Test your knowledge while you help Detective Tuesday Next and her pet dodo solve the crimes that trouble her world.
love the series!!!
Fun read. It take combines science fiction and mystery in an enjoyeable way for those that love literature.
Original and entertaining. A real twist on the fantasy/mystery idea. What if a beloved literary character were kidnapped? All the copies of that book would be affected. Thursday Next's task is finding Jane Eyre putting the story to rights. After all, she's a Literary Detective.
Try this one and you'll want to read the rest of the series, too!
Try this one and you'll want to read the rest of the series, too!
A surreal version of Great Britain circa 1985 where time travel is routine and cloning a reality. Featuring Thursday Next, a literary detective who investigates someone kidnapping characters from works of literature.
This is an awesome book.
Good book!
This sounded like such a unique idea -- what a disappointment.
An interesting read!
this is the exact book shown only paperback.
