Sorry, I Got Lost In A Good Book!

Well I promised a blog post the other night, and don't fret, I shall deliver. In my defense, I have a great excuse- I started reading a wonderful book, then proceeded to read 2 other books by the same author. Yes, 3 books, 3 days. I am a fast reader. And if the quality of the book is good? Don't bother trying to get me to do anything else until I finish (unless it can be done while reading, i.e. eating or drinking beer).

So what author is it that has so captivated me? It is Jasper Fforde, a British writer whose work is complete genius and utter silliness, all at the same time. Seriously, it is brilliant. It is like Dr. Seuss for adults. Thus far, I have read 7 of his 15 novels, and have two more on my nightstand to delve into shortly.

Currently, he has 4 different series attributed to his name. 3 for adults, 1 for young adults (but still very enjoyable for adults). They are:

 The Thursday Next Series 

The genre listed for this series is "comic fantasy, alternate history". The basis for them? England, beginning in the 80's, but with a president, no United Kingdom, and the genetic engineering capabilities to make it possible for Dodos, Neanderthals, and Mammoths to have been brought back into creation. Thursday is a "Literary Detective", whose job is the fight crime against books. This eventually leads to the revelation that books are alive, and the reader is regaled with tales of what the "BookWorld" is like.

I could spend a hour trying to explain a tenth of what this series is about to you, but the most basic things is books. Everything is literarily related. If you are a lover of books like me, you wil get hooked instantly by this series. The way the book world is explained will have you eager to become a book jumper, so you can get inside the books and discover the world for yourself.  Not to mention have a little chat with the Cat Formerly Known as Cheshire.

Nursery Crime Division

The Nursery Crimes Division series is set in the same alternate reality as the Thursday Next series, but is based in a different part of England. Also, instead of focusing on books, it focuses on (surprise) Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales. Did you know Humpty Dumpty's full name was Humperdink Jehoshaphat Aloysius Stuyvesant van Dumpty?

The series follows the detective Jack Spratt through his attempts at solving all crimes related to nursery characters, who live amongst the rest of us, walking, talking, and in Humpty's case, crying over the loss of egg life over Easter. This series is delightful because it brings into play all those characters that were so precious to us when we were younger, but (for most people) haven't thought about in a while.

Shades of Grey

Have no fear, this has nothing to do with the "50 Shades of Gray" drivel that has taken the world by storm. The Shades of Grey Series is about Chromatacia, a dystopian society where your rank in life is determined by your color. Now don't try to pull a racist card here- let me explain first. It is not about what color your skin is, but about the colors you can perceive.

As explained on wikipedia.com, "The social hierarchy of Chromatica is defined by the ability to see colour, which is limited in most people to varying degrees of one shade, or at most two. The perception of colour also affects their health and wellness: certain colours have medical effects on people, and doctors in this world are called "swatchmen", since they show swatches of colour to their patients. Shades of green, especially Lincoln green, act as a narcotic, and are often abused as recreational drugs. People without the ability to see colour are called Greys and are lowest in the social order. Surnames and names of towns are usually derived from various shades of colour, such as jade, carmine and saffron."

This series of course has all the standard quirks of a Fforde novel, for example in the society it is illegal to own spoons. Already sounds a lot better than 50 shades, doesn't it? 

Dragonslayer Trilogy

The Dragonslayer Trilogy was created for young adults, and takes place in "The unUnited Kingdoms" in the year 2007. Here, people live in constant fear of the evil dragons, the magic in the land is drying up, and there has been a prophecy that our heroine and main character, Jennifer Strange, will slay the last dragon. 

Don't worry, it isn't gruesome or fearsome or scary. In the way of all of Fforde's novels, it is captivating and intriguing, and when something bad does happen, you don't even mind because it is so well written. 


I am quite excited, because currently there are 5 more books in the works- one for each series, and one standalone. I highly recommend this author to anyone who appreciates a well written novel, and enjoys having their imagination tested. You will never be bored during one these novels, and taking a break from reading will be one of the hardest things you have ever done. Trust me, and get lost in a good book.

For the avid fans, you can visit the Fford Ffiesta in Swindon, UK in August. I am miserable because I want to go, but I don't think I will be there at that time! Guess I am going to have to drive over to Wales and camp outside Fforde's house till he gives me a sneak peak of the newest Thursday Next novel..