Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
When it comes to Dorian Gray, I think I prefer Fforde's to Wilde's. Less pretension, more fun... which seems like a pretty good way to sum this ride right up, actually.
[4 stars for the joys of Dubious Reality.]
[4 stars for the joys of Dubious Reality.]
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun, enjoyable, and delightfully kooky.
I enjoyed Jack's crisis with being a PDR and all of the references to other works.
The humor in this one was a little less to my taste than the last one though, and felt a bit too slapstick to me a lot of the time. I didn't enjoy the overt references to Jack being written by Fforde, and the references to plot holes and devices in particular were awkward and made this feel like a sequel that was not originally planned for.
Major plot point references also went right over my head and made the story less humorous--until I discovered what was being referenced. (I need to read Gulliver's Travels!)
Also wish there had been a bit more on Jack's family, but I enjoyed all of the character development that was there, though I enjoyed the actually mystery a bit less.
I enjoyed Jack's crisis with being a PDR and all of the references to other works.
The humor in this one was a little less to my taste than the last one though, and felt a bit too slapstick to me a lot of the time. I didn't enjoy the overt references to Jack being written by Fforde, and the references to plot holes and devices in particular were awkward and made this feel like a sequel that was not originally planned for.
Major plot point references also went right over my head and made the story less humorous--until I discovered what was being referenced. (I need to read Gulliver's Travels!)
Also wish there had been a bit more on Jack's family, but I enjoyed all of the character development that was there, though I enjoyed the actually mystery a bit less.
I think this was much better than the first book in this series and maybe even better than The Eyre Affair. The characters were interesting (I love Ashley) and the story was funny. I wish I had more books from Fforde in my shelf.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Slow to start, but worth it. You will definitely finish with a smile, anxiously awaiting the next Jasper Fforde novel. Witty, hilarious and a fun read.
Oh I really loved this. I can't believe there aren't any more books in this series for me to read yet. I still need to go back and brush up on my nursery rhymes as I'm sure there are some jokes that I missed, but it really is very, very funny - and a genuine mystery too.
What with Thursday Next and now Nursery Crime, Fforde is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
What with Thursday Next and now Nursery Crime, Fforde is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
3.5 stars- it starts slow, but picks up speed. Gave me a chuckle per chapter on the 4th-wall breaks.
The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
I'd read one of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels, but I didn't realise he'd written a collection of books based around nursery rhymes. I picked this up in a charity shop, not knowing it was the second in the series. But it didn't matter, the characters were introduced well and although I'd not read the previous one, there were several references to Red Riding Hood, which I'm guessing is the previous case.
Fforde's universe is amazing, bears and aliens and PDR's (basically nursery rhyme characters) live alongside humans and it's all totally believable. I also love the added section of the Berkshire Bumper Book of Records at the beginning of every chapter.
The story itself is brilliant if a little confusing. This book focuses on the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but puts a spin on it that brings it up to modern day. Intertwined in this is the psychopathic Gingerbreadman, possibly one of the best ideas ever! As well as bears breaking their porridge quotas, a new theme park known as Sommeworld and a global company known as QuangTech.
The reason why I didn't give this five stars is because it took me a while to get into it. I probably read the last half of the book within two days, but the first half took me about a month. I'd say the reason for this is because there are a lot of different elements you have to keep in your brain, such as cucumbers exploding, the Gingerbreadman and Spratt and Mary busting a bear with a van full of oats. Only later does it all so cleverly slot together.
Overall four strars for the great characters, clever plot and fantastic world that Fforde has created. I will most certainly be getting the others!
I'd read one of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels, but I didn't realise he'd written a collection of books based around nursery rhymes. I picked this up in a charity shop, not knowing it was the second in the series. But it didn't matter, the characters were introduced well and although I'd not read the previous one, there were several references to Red Riding Hood, which I'm guessing is the previous case.
Fforde's universe is amazing, bears and aliens and PDR's (basically nursery rhyme characters) live alongside humans and it's all totally believable. I also love the added section of the Berkshire Bumper Book of Records at the beginning of every chapter.
The story itself is brilliant if a little confusing. This book focuses on the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but puts a spin on it that brings it up to modern day. Intertwined in this is the psychopathic Gingerbreadman, possibly one of the best ideas ever! As well as bears breaking their porridge quotas, a new theme park known as Sommeworld and a global company known as QuangTech.
The reason why I didn't give this five stars is because it took me a while to get into it. I probably read the last half of the book within two days, but the first half took me about a month. I'd say the reason for this is because there are a lot of different elements you have to keep in your brain, such as cucumbers exploding, the Gingerbreadman and Spratt and Mary busting a bear with a van full of oats. Only later does it all so cleverly slot together.
Overall four strars for the great characters, clever plot and fantastic world that Fforde has created. I will most certainly be getting the others!
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes