Jasper Fforde

[muggle not]

Has anyone read books by Jasper Fforde. I just started "The Eyre Affair" and so far, about 50 pages, like it very much. He was recommended to me by a friend on an Auto Racing forum in Ireland.

[Sassenach]

Not yet, but I do have some in our Books To Read bookcase.

[Sarahrob]

I adore the Eyre Affair - it's a book I can keep going back to. There is another in the series where Thursday works with Miss Havisham, and that is also fantastic.

A friend bought me The Big Over Easy - it was an entertaining read, but the concept wasn't as new to me as that of the Eyre Affair, so I enjoyed it less.

[MonkeyCatcher]

I absolutely loved The Eyre Affair - it was extremely funny, although I'm sure that I missed out on a few of the jokes having never read Jane Eyre. It was just a really fun book to read; I enjoyed it immensely and am looking forward to reading the second in the series.

[muggle not]

There are four books in the series so far:

The Eyre Affair
Lost In A Good Book
Well Of Lost Plots
Something Rotten

I bought The Eyre Affair from Amazon but since have checked with our library and find that they have all the books in stock so will get the next in the series from them.

[Sugar]

I am a huge HUGE fan! So much so that I got Jasper to come and give a talk in the library I work in!

I've read them all, and while I prefer the Thursday Next series listed above - I also really enjoyed the first Jack Spratt book "The Big Over Easy". The sequel to that is due out in a month or so, called "The Fourth Bear".

Jasper is currently writing a new Thursday Next book, which will tell the story of the Samuel Pepys fiasco.

[muggle not]

Wow, you are fortunate to have listened to Jasper Fforde give a talk, I think. :D I really enjoy his writing and I have just started his book, actually about a third way through it. good to see that you work at a library. We have what I consider one of the best libraries and I only have good things to say about it.

[Sugar]

Wow, you are fortunate to have listened to Jasper Fforde give a talk, I think. :D I really enjoy his writing and I have just started his book, actually about a third way through it. good to see that you work at a library. We have what I consider one of the best libraries and I only have good things to say about it.

Will I be showing off to say that I have seen him give talks twice (once in my library, once at a literary festival), went to Swindon to meet him when he was signing at Borders, and also went to the Fforde Ffestival - a weekend long celebration of his work in Swindon. He attended and we all throroughly enjoyed it! There will be another one - the Fforde Ffiesta in 2007.

I'm glad that you like your library - as well as working there, I'm a big library fan!

[Vanessa]

This ones for Sugar!!! :wink:

Due to your words of praise for Mr Fforde I'm about to tootle on out into the garden and begin my hopefully long-lived love affair with Jasp by beginning The Erye Affair. I plan to read him in succession.

If his work reminds me of any one else I've read I'll let you know as you may want to check them out too :reading:

here goes.........

[Sugar]

If his work reminds you of anyone else, I'll be amazed Vanessa! Jasper is most definitely one of a kind! I hope you enjoy The Eyre Affair!

[Sarahrob]

Vanessa, I'm really envious as I wish I could go back and read his books for the first time again (if that makes sense?)!

[Vanessa]

Vanessa, I'm really envious as I wish I could go back and read his books for the first time again (if that makes sense?)!

I know what you mean, I get so excited when I lend a book to a friend that I'm convinced will love it, a book can have quite an impact on you (as you know) so if I can pass that on to someone else I'm pleased as punch :D

[muggle not]

I just finished Well Of Lost Plots and picked up Something Rotten from the library yesterday. Fforde's works are great to read and the guy has an imagination like no other. I will start Spmething Rotten after finishing Robbers' Roost by Zane Grey. Talk about two different writers.....Grey and Fforde. :mrgreen:

Sugar, still envious of you actually listening to Fforde give a talk at your library.

[Renniemist]

I have just ordered The Eyre Affair on Amazon. I have not read any Jasper Fforde books before so can you tell me is this the right book to start with?

[muggle not]

I have just ordered The Eyre Affair on Amazon. I have not read any Jasper Fforde books before so can you tell me is this the right book to start with?
Yes, it is the right book to start with. They should definitely be read in this order:

The Eyre Affair
Lost In A Good Book
Well Of Lost Plots
Something Rotten

[Kell]

I've borrowed The Big Over Easy from Louiseog, who very kindly sent it to me for a read. I shall be getting to it right after I finish Cold Granite - looknig forward to it immensely!

[Renniemist]

Thanks Muggle Not. I let you know how I get on once I have read it.

[muggle not]

Vanessa, I'm really envious as I wish I could go back and read his books for the first time again (if that makes sense?)!
Makes sense to me. I just finished "Something Rotten", the last book in his "Thursday Next" series. I hope his next book in the series comes out soon. Fforde has an imagination that few authors have and his books are a fresh breath of air.

[Louiseog]

Vanessa, I'm really envious as I wish I could go back and read his books for the first time again (if that makes sense?)!
Makes sense to me. I just finished "Something Rotten", the last book in his "Thursday Next" series. I hope his next book in the series comes out soon. Fforde has an imagination that few authors have and his books are a fresh breath of air.
There is one but not till about 2007! I do like the other series as well though so can manage with them for a bit

[Sugar]

It's due in March though, I think - so only 6 months or so to go! I think he has a contract for a book a year, so give him a chance to write it!!!

The new one is actually set back between The Eyre Affair and Lost in a Good Book, so won't carry on where Something Rotten left off, but should fill in some gaps (eg with the Samuel Pring incident).

[Sela]

I've only read The Eyre Affair, but I'd like to find the others. Thursday Next was a great heroine!

[muggle not]

I've only read The Eyre Affair, but I'd like to find the others. Thursday Next was a great heroine!
She is a heroine that really grows on you. I love her character.

[Liz]

I've read the first two books in the Thursday Next series and very much enjoyed them. I've got the third one waiting on my bookself - along with many others! :)
Will have to get round to reading it sometime soon. My sister and mother are both wanting to read the series as well, but they've also got quite a few books they want to get through first.

[muggle not]

Thought I would bump this up to get some more comments.

[Michelle]

I have some vouchers to spend on Amazon, and I was lookign at his. I have to say, despite the comments on here, the books aren't 'grabbing me'. Should I go for it?

[muggle not]

I have some vouchers to spend on Amazon, and I was lookign at his. I have to say, despite the comments on here, the books aren't 'grabbing me'. Should I go for it?
You may want to try one book and then if you like it go for the other 3 in the Thursday Next series. If you decide to try them read The Eyre Affair first.

[Sarahrob]

Oh yes, give The Eyre Affair a go. It appeals on so many levels!

[Louiseog]

Know why they don't appeal they didn't to me but they are fantastic! The other thing you could do is go for the other series, nursery crimes division the Big Over Easy and start there

[Kell]

Yes, I'd never been moved to try any of Fforde's books till I was very kindly lent The Big Over Easy & I really enjoyed it - so much so that I went & got The Eyre Affair. I've not read it yet, due to reading other books I've borrowed, but I'm dying to get to it!

[mrstrecool]

I have just got The Eyre Affair and wanted to ask if it is worth reading Jane Eyre first. I have never read it (I know, I should be ashamed!) and wondered if reading that first would make me enjoy The Eyre Affair more. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.:)

[Renniemist]

I thought the same as you mrstrecool. I read Jane Eyre first and then read the Eyre Affair. I don’t know that it made all that much difference however. Most people know enough about Jane Eyre to be able to enjoy the Eyre Affair with out having read Jane Eyre first IMO.

However Jane Eyre is definitely worth reading. Hope you enjoy both books.

[mrstrecool]

Thanks for the help! Can't wait to get started except the book I've just started is 700 pages long so it might be a while!

[Renniemist]

I see that you are reading The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure. I have that book on my TBR list. Sadly it keeps getting lower and lower down my priority list. I would be interested to know how you get on with that one.:)

[mrstrecool]

I've only read Chapter 1 so I'll keep you posted!

[Maureen]

Currently reading Something Rotten. Drat I always do that, start from the end!

[Louiseog]

:lol:

[Liz]

Currently reading Something Rotten. Drat I always do that, start from the end!

Maureen, it may be better to read the Fforde series in order as they do all follow on from each other. xx :)

[Maureen]

I know. But I had already started SR, when I checked the thread, and saw the order. Bit too late!

[muggle not]

I know. But I had already started SR, when I checked the thread, and saw the order. Bit too late!
But you can still go back and read the others in order ....after.... finishing Something Rotten.:D

[Bunny]

My Dh loves these books, infact he sits there giggling while he's reading them, tbh I haven't read any of them yet, might try them once I've finished the couple of Thomas Hardy novels I've got

[Maureen]

for all the Thursday Next fans - check this (http://www.thursdaynext.com/index2.html)out.
for those who would like to know more about Jasper Fforde - check this (http://www.thursdaynext.com/) out. ;-))

I always wanted to know where he got the name Jack Schitt from :lol:

more info (http://www.jasperfforde.com/beginnings.html#goliath)

[Sugar]

Just noticed that the new book (due in about a months time), First Among Sequels, isn't going to have a "classic" cover. I'm gutted - I don't mind the Jack Spratt covers looking different to out Thurs but I don't want them to look the same. :(

[Maureen]

Sugar, the UK cover is similar to the others. The US one isn't.

was looking at Swindon photo album just now....really hilarious! I love Pete's and Dave dodo emporium!

[Princess Orchid]

I love his books!

[Liz]

I've just read the fifth book in the Thursday Next series called First Among Sequels.
Small sections of certain conversations are missing from the text and so you can go onto Fforde's website and print off the missing text - there are gaps in the book so that you can stick in the text.

You can then print off a certificate which says that the book has been 'upgraded' and stick that in the front of the book.

It's a fun idea, but I'm not sure everyone would want to stick in bits of paper to complete certain conversations.

[Maureen]

you can go onto Fforde's website and print off the missing text - there are gaps in the book so that you can stick in the text.

..................... but I'm not sure everyone would want to stick in bits of paper to complete certain conversations.


I wouldn't! What if you have no access to the internet at that particular time! :motz:

[Kell]

I'm about 2/3rds of the way through Lost in a Good Book and am totally loving it! I have the next two Thursday Next books waiting to be read also, and am SOOOOO looking forward to getting to them!

[Princess Orchid]

I wouldn't! What if you have no access to the internet at that particular time! :motz:

It's a bit faffy, isn't it?!

[Roland Butter]

I saw "The Fourth Bear" recently and was tempted to buy it (nice cover!), never having read any Jasper Fforde. Now I'm totally confused! Thursday Next or Nursery Crimes? Knowing me, I'll probably end up buying both.

[Maureen]

I'm about 2/3rds of the way through Lost in a Good Book and am totally loving it! !

I loved it too! I was totally lost in it - reading about life in a good book...........

[Kell]

I saw "The Fourth Bear" recently and was tempted to buy it (nice cover!), never having read any Jasper Fforde. Now I'm totally confused! Thursday Next or Nursery Crimes? Knowing me, I'll probably end up buying both.
Well, i started off with the Nursery Crimes books (and loved them both) and have now moved onto the Thursday Next series. Fforde's writing is very clever as well as being highly entertaining. I hope you'll give him a try (if you're going for Nursery Crime, start with The Big Over Easy, if you're going with TN, start with The Eyre Affair).

[Polka Dot Rock]

Lost in a Good Book is winging its way to me very soon :mrgreen: I'm really looking forward to the next installment!

[Maureen]

you'll enjoy it PDR - it is a good one!

[muggle not]

I checked out at the Library today Jasper Fforde's latest book........."Thursday Next - First Among Sequels". I am looking forward to starting the book tonight.

[Louiseog]

You won't be disappointed!

[muggle not]

I checked out at the Library today Jasper Fforde's latest book........."Thursday Next - First Among Sequels". I am looking forward to starting the book tonight.
I finished reading the book tonight. Jasper did a brilliant job of writing. Louiseog was 100% correct, I was not disappointed. Great storyline and reading. I recommend it wholeheartedly to fans of Jasper Fforde.

[Gyre]

My friend sent me 'The Eyre Affair', I am looking forward to reading it. x

[muggle not]

I am sure that there will be many that don't agree with me, but, I enjoy Jasper Fforde as much as, and maybe more than, Terry Pratchett.

[muggle not]

Fforde has an excellent understanding of literature and uses it exceptionally well in his books. He really knows how to group certain Book Genres, especially the Erotic novel genre. :) From his current book:

A few Genre realignments

Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods has been moved from nonfiction to fiction and Orwell's 1984 is no longer truly fiction, so has been reallocated to nonfiction. Vonnegut's The Sirens of Titan is no longer Sci-Fi but philosophy.

The subgenre of Literary Smut has finally been disbanded , with Fanny Hill and Molly Flanders being transferred to Racy Novel and Lady Chatterley's Lover to Human Drama.

The History of Tom Jones is now in Romantic Comedy, and The Story of O is part of the Erotic Novel genre, as are Lolita and The Autobiography of a Flea. Orwell's Animal Farm belongs not just to the Allegorical and Political genres but has been expanded to be part of Animal Drama and Juvenilia as well.

[Pilgrim]

I have only read The Well of Lost Plots because it got a "something something Wodehouse something" award and I loved it. The librarian where I work saved me the CD's of The Eyre Affair and I've started listening to it.

Read that he had trouble getting it published at first. It's a fun test of what one knows about literature and I sometimes miss the joke.

[muggle not]

I have only read The Well of Lost Plots because it got a "something something Wodehouse something" award and I loved it. The librarian where I work saved me the CD's of The Eyre Affair and I've started listening to it.

Read that he had trouble getting it published at first. It's a fun test of what one knows about literature and I sometimes miss the joke.
You are correct as it does test one's knowledge of literature and I also sometimes miss all of the satire. I read Fforbe's The Eyre Affair and it got me so curious that I then went and read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

I really think that Fforde is pretty brilliant and his latest book is excellent.

[Pilgrim]

Jane Eyre is one that I liked very much but it was so long ago that I don't remember the ending not having her and Mr Rochester get together - too many film versions out there.


I like all the bickering about Shakespeare and Bacon. Don't know much about that dispute and hope "The Eyre Affair" is getting it right. I might refer to it someday.

[Gyre]

I finished 'The Well of Lost Plots' last week, I did like it but it was somewhat lacking compared to the first two books, it has not put me off though, I just ordered 'Something rotten' from Amazon.:D