Comments on: Book Review: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

By: The Book Smugglers » Blog Archive » Smugglivus Presents: Ana & Thea’s Most Excellent Books of 2010

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:03:09 +0000

[...] Review HERE [...]

By: kay

kay — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:49:04 +0000

This book sounds so good! I have never read any Fforde, but I have been recommended books from him a few times. I guess I’ll start with this one – I love original dystopian novels.

By: Marg

Marg — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:54:30 +0000

I have been a Fforde ffan girl for years, and I really, really, really need to read this book!

I don’t think you can go past starting with Thursday Next. The Nursery Crimes books do stand alone pretty well, but there is a tenuous link between the two series!

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:57:29 +0000

I’m so glad to hear that this book lives up to expectations! Jasper Fforde is a funny guy.

By: Rosario

Rosario — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:25:18 +0000

Are they people? Well, I kind of assumed that they are. It´s been a few weeks now since I read it, but I vaguely remember that at one point Eddie says something about the people in an ancient Ovaltine ad, and basically mentions that their eyes are weird (such big, creepy pupils, or something like that). So maybe the ancients were just like them, only with eyes that had changed in some way?

I’d say try The Big Over Easy, the first one in the Nursery Crimes series. I like the Thursday Next books, but I think they peak at book 3 (maybe including the end of book 2), and even so, as you mentioned for here, the world-building somewhat overshadows the story. The Big Over Easy is brilliant right from the beginning, both the world-building and the story are strong. Also, the ending is perfection. Loads of different threads, seemingly unconnected, and they just come together in the most amazing ways.

By: April (Good Books & Wine)

April (Good Books & Wine) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:09:01 +0000

I’ve only read the first Thursday Next book by Fforde, when I hadn’t read enough classics to get most of the references. It was an alright book, but I’m thinking I’ll have to re-read it since it’ll probably be more funny this go-around.

I’m dying to read Shades of Grey. I love me some dystopia with pretty covers.

By: Thea

Thea — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:33:55 +0000

Thanks so much, everyone, for the comments!!

As an introduction to Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey totally freaking ROCKED. I cannot wait to try The Eyre Affair. Ana – it’s ON!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:26:31 +0000

The entire Thursday Next series by him. Its like Julie James level book crack.

By: Ana

Ana — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:55:24 +0000

ok, y’all convinced ME that I MUST read his books pronto. Thea, we must do a joint of his first Thursday Next book! Stat!!!

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:52:56 +0000

I adore Jasper Fforde too. Anything he writes is an auto-buy for me so I was very excited to see this new series being released. I would also thoroughly recommend th Thursday Next books.

Great review, Thea!