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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is more of an urban fantasy/crime novel, not really science fiction. I might have enjoyed it more if it had been pitched more accurately.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
What a fun jaunt through time travel and Jane Eyre! Thursday Next is a Litera Tec, a detective in the Special Operatives who investigates literature-related crime. This time she’s on the case when Archeron Hades, the Third Most Wanted Man in the World, starts plucking characters from novels with the intent to ruin their stories forever if he doesn’t get what he wants. With the help of her uncle Mycroft’s Prose Portal, some word-loving bookworms, and a cadre of funny-named characters, Thursday weaves through present day, other time periods, and the story of Jane Eyre itself to take down the evil Hades. All while managing her own personal demons of a past life fighting in the 100-year-plus Crimean War and navigating a broken relationship with the love of her life. A fun romp through literature, words, crime, and forgiveness. Very creative and unique.
Absolutely an intellectual and humorous delight. More cleverness and wit than any other contemporary author.
First read May 2002 (?). Re-read several times, including audio in May 2007. Listened to Susan Duerden's new narration Aug 2010: simply marvelous.
First read May 2002 (?). Re-read several times, including audio in May 2007. Listened to Susan Duerden's new narration Aug 2010: simply marvelous.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Suicide
I love the fantastic residing amid the mundane--day to day life with the spike of the amazing running through it. This is either why I love the old Twilight Zones or this was inspired in me by watching old Twilight Zones...possibly a chicken and egg question. In THE EYRE AFFAIR, Fforde creates a world where the fantastic is often mundane and only something more fantastic can top it. At once a procedural thriller, sci-fi adventure and romantic fantasy--I enjoyed the elements but did not always feel it was cohesive. Being able to literally enter the world of a book and interact with its characters has been appealing to me since watching Gumby and Pokey as a tyke and that aspect of the story is handled quite well--though it takes too long to get there. I enjoyed the ride until then, many literary puns and allusions, but I really wanted to love this book--maybe I let my expectations get in the way. In the meantime, there are secret government agencies and literary cults involved in great crimes--career upheaval and great villains. Thursday Next, the main character/narrator, more than holds your interest but many of the good guy characters were kinda flat (including her love interests) and others that seemed ripe disappeared completely for a hundred pages. I was interested in one closeted werewolf in particular who was completely wasted. I suspect he was saved for a future book--but such a juicy introduction left me distracted by his absence. The quibbles I have are mostly redeemed by the creation of a unique world where literature is the driving force in most people's lives and the arrival of a marvelous villain and where he ends up at the end of the book. Quite enjoyable and still interested in reading further adventures--maybe the next chapter will knock my socks off. This one knocked off my shoes and loosened my socks just a little....
Truly enjoyed this. I love Thursday - she is just an amazing character.
Downloaded this after it being recommended to me by a friend at work. When we had a power outage for over 24 hours I read the whole thing in one sitting. Very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more!