Hi there!
So, yesterday I had a big surprise.... you know, just LEAVING MY IPAD AT SCHOOL OVER THE LONG WEEKEND. I am doing okay with out it. I'm not the sort of person who is addicted to screens; I actually get tired of them pretty quickly, but it has some work I need to edit on it so it's just annoying. And I was playing this addictive game that I was planning on finishing but oh well!
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is a young adult/adult fiction novel that is a unique blend of crime, sci-fi and fantasy. It follows the story of Thursday Next, who is a detective who specialises in work and cases involving famous novels and books. It just so happens that amidst her old partner showing up again, moving back to her home town and a strange vision from the future that Acheron Hades -a mastermind criminal- literally kidnaps Jane Eyre.
Thursday Next is on the case!
This book is so unique and I have never heard of anything similar. It is such an odd mix of genres that actually fit pretty well together. The world inside the book is just like reality, only curious things can happen and the impossible is possible- and quite normal, too.
Thursday is a witty character who has a sharp sense of the world around her. She can sense when something is wrong and although she is business like in some aspects, her personality also shines through as thoughtful, humorous and slightly apologetic about some choices in her life. I liked reading about her and her journey through life so far. It was also good to read about a character who was in their 30s, rather than in their teens.
Thursday is also a Crimean War veteran, so her work as a literary detective demonstrates some of the leadership qualities that she possesses.
There are no other characters who I really connected to. There are many characters throughout the book and Thursday is really the only protagonist. I did like Rochester, even though he is only in the story for a few chapters.
One part of the story I really enjoyed was seeing the inventions that Thursday's Uncle Mycroft created that include bookworms-yes, bookworms. That was a fun chapter that was interesting to read.
I like how smart the book is. It isn't overly complex but it is very enjoyable to read and comical. The way everything weaves together- the Jane Eyre story and Fforde's own story that he has created.
Lastly, the cover was what made the book stand out to me in the first place. It is really retro looking and looks really good.
The ending of the book is satisfying and there are more books in the series.
Overall, a very good book that is great to read if you are looking for something original and different.
Zobo!
