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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
It starts off a little confusing. I don't know if it's because I just don't understand some of the British lingo, or if I don't understand some phrases because the book is based in an alternate reality and the author just made up these phrases...?
It helps if you know some things about classic literature, such as, the titles of works, the authors who wrote them, and basic plot lines. I thought I had at least heard of most works written by famous authors (For example, 'Martin Chuzzlewit' by Charles Dickens, which is mentioned in this book) but I had to look it up to see if it was an actual work. I guess I'm not as well-rounded as I thought. :)
It's also helpful (but not necessary because things that may not make sense in the beginning come together in the end) to have read certain works. For example, the ending of 'Jane Eyre' is mentioned in this book, and it's a different ending than in the actual book. I only know this because I've read 'Jane Eyre' (one of my faovrites). But if I hadn't read it before I wouldn't realize that this change in the ending must mean something to come in this book (I hope that made sense).
The above are the reasons for only 4 stars, but the book does gets interesting. I don't want to give anything away, although I'm sure you can figure out what must happen with the ending of 'Jane Eyre' (if you've read it before) once things start happening, but I like the twist of having the actions of Thursday determine the ending of the book.
All I can say is that I liked it enough to want to read the next book in the series, which I'm going to start right now actually. :)
It helps if you know some things about classic literature, such as, the titles of works, the authors who wrote them, and basic plot lines. I thought I had at least heard of most works written by famous authors (For example, 'Martin Chuzzlewit' by Charles Dickens, which is mentioned in this book) but I had to look it up to see if it was an actual work. I guess I'm not as well-rounded as I thought. :)
It's also helpful (but not necessary because things that may not make sense in the beginning come together in the end) to have read certain works. For example, the ending of 'Jane Eyre' is mentioned in this book, and it's a different ending than in the actual book. I only know this because I've read 'Jane Eyre' (one of my faovrites). But if I hadn't read it before I wouldn't realize that this change in the ending must mean something to come in this book (I hope that made sense).
The above are the reasons for only 4 stars, but the book does gets interesting. I don't want to give anything away, although I'm sure you can figure out what must happen with the ending of 'Jane Eyre' (if you've read it before) once things start happening, but I like the twist of having the actions of Thursday determine the ending of the book.
All I can say is that I liked it enough to want to read the next book in the series, which I'm going to start right now actually. :)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Highly creative idea. Horribly subpar execution. I know this has a bit of a cult following, but good grief I almost couldn't finish it... So many cliches, shallow characterizations and loose ends, I just couldn't take it seriously or really immerse myself in his world. The women especially were so... unbelievably simple and contradictory. (The main character is supposed to be a super impressive lady soldier / secret agent who pines for some random guy we didn't grow to like, and though other characters praise her for being so amazing, she's actually pretty lame.) The humor was attempted, but usually fell flat to me.
Some really fun ideas (Who doesn't want to be able to just walk into the plot of a classic novel?!) and a few memorable quotes about human nature from the antagonist, but otherwise I kind of just want to forget I ever read it.
Some really fun ideas (Who doesn't want to be able to just walk into the plot of a classic novel?!) and a few memorable quotes about human nature from the antagonist, but otherwise I kind of just want to forget I ever read it.
Clever, occasionally witty, but just trying too hard. I was hoping for better from a Pratchett-style twist on the detective novel. I'll try another one, since it seems to be a popular series, but it didn't wow like I'd hoped. The dodos were good, though.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read it for a book club I probably would have dnf'ed it if it hadn't been for that.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was the first book of my new WI Bookgroup and I was really excited to begin reading it asits been on my "To Read" list for a long time. I did get a bit side tracked by some other books but I have finished it with an hour to spare before the meeting.
The book reminded me alot of The Peter Grant Series by [a:Ben Aaronovitch|363130|Ben Aaronovitch|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1308855588p2/363130.jpg] which i love. However I felt there was too much squashed in with time travel, dodos, book obsessions and new religions which individually are not given enough time or explained at all. I think if the number of changes had been reduced then the book would have been much more enjoyable. The book was filled with some good twists and has rekindled my love for Jane Eyre.
I will probably read the follow up book and see if the world grows on me at all.
The book reminded me alot of The Peter Grant Series by [a:Ben Aaronovitch|363130|Ben Aaronovitch|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1308855588p2/363130.jpg] which i love. However I felt there was too much squashed in with time travel, dodos, book obsessions and new religions which individually are not given enough time or explained at all. I think if the number of changes had been reduced then the book would have been much more enjoyable. The book was filled with some good twists and has rekindled my love for Jane Eyre.
I will probably read the follow up book and see if the world grows on me at all.
I can't remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book!!!! A friend recent loaned it to me - I had no idea what to expect. Certainly not disappointed. Jasper Fforde is officially on my radar.
"Forget the rules of time, space, and reality; just sir back and enjoy the adventure" (The Daily Telegraph). Most apt description of the book. If you try to fight the rationale of the story and its characters, you'll only find yourself lost and confused. Just roll with the story- it's a hell of a ride.
This book is so perfectly British.
**More later.**
"Forget the rules of time, space, and reality; just sir back and enjoy the adventure" (The Daily Telegraph). Most apt description of the book. If you try to fight the rationale of the story and its characters, you'll only find yourself lost and confused. Just roll with the story- it's a hell of a ride.
This book is so perfectly British.
**More later.**
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No