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July 13, 2004

The Eyre AFfair - Jasper Fforde

The reviews on this one sell it as a mix of "Monty Python, Harry Potter, Stephen Hawking and Buffy the Vampire Slayer." I am not sure that I would go that far.

I almost gave up on this book. Fantasy, time travel, and adventure novels aren't usually my favorites and this novel was a bit slow to start. However, I stuck it out for a few chapters. After that the writing is fast paced and the humor is very dry and well, British. And something just clicks. Maybe you just get past all of the literary names and places that seem tacked on to show just how literary Jasper Fforde is, maybe the narrative starts to gel together, or maybe the plot just seems to really start moving along.

If you are a literary geek then you will enjoy some of the little digs at Bacon and Shakespeare and definitely at Milton. The novel is worth reading for its Python-esque Richard III scene alone. It appears that in this alternate version of the 80s in London Richard III is performed in much the same way as a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening at midnight at the local multiplex. A costumed audience participates tossing barbs back and forth with actors who have themselves been plucked from the audience.

Thursday Next, the protaganist, doesn't really become a fully formed character until about a third of the way through the book. And for me, there was some challenge in the "willing suspension of disbelief." She can transport into literature and in this alternate modern era time travel is common. Like I said, if I would have known the premise I might have shied away from this book. I am glad that I didn't. Maybe I wouldn't have chosen a book that included someone from a dark underworld who would steal characters out of famous works of literature and a Literary Detective with a time travelling father and a friend who is a vampire slayer. I would have missed some clever storytelling.

It is fun, witty and once it picks up, very difficult to tear yourself away from. I find that I have just added a rereading of Jane Eyre to my to-read list. I had a good time with this one. Good summer read.

Posted by michelle at July 13, 2004 02:18 PM