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!
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