Jasper Fforde

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Thanks ........I was wondering at his choice....and will never look at the word "bookworm" the same again.........

The "American parts" of Martin Chuzzlewit are widely regarded as Dickens "worst" work. He was very "anti-American" at the time he wrote it, due to the fact that there was no international copyright protection at the time, and American publishers were making a fortune out of his work, and he wasn't receiving a penny for it. His hostility towards America is very clear in "Chuzzlewit", in which he makes the country out to be little more than a nation of "confidence tricksters".

[llasram]

Originally Posted by HarryT

His hostility towards America is very clear in "Chuzzlewit", in which he makes the country out to be little more than a nation of "confidence tricksters".

To be fair, even as of the 2000 census 60% of Americans reported that they earned at least 20% of their income from "thievery, gambling, or confidence trickery." True fact.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by llasram

To be fair, even as of the 2000 census 60% of Americans reported that they earned at least 20% of their income from "thievery, gambling, or confidence trickery." True fact.

Isn't like 20% of the US population incarcerated too?

BOb

[llasram]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Isn't like 20% of the US population incarcerated too?

Look, no need to ruin my joke with depressing real statistics .

[badgoodDeb]

I haven't read Jane Eyre either (or did I, when I was reaalllll young?) -- so maybe the synopsis on wikipedia will be helpful before I look at Fforde's book:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre

a strange laugh in the halls, a near fatal fire from which she has to save the master of the house, ..... a violent madwoman whom he keeps imprisoned in the attic,

Oh yeah. I read that and had nightmares for eons. One reading was quite enough.

[Dedale]

I just read The Eyre Affair and I have to say I really liked it
I read the second book of miss Next's adventures now

I didn't know Fforde before to read this thread so thanks for this topic !

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Dedale

I just read The Eyre Affair and I have to say I really liked it
I read the second book of miss Next's adventures now

I didn't know Fforde before to read this thread so thanks for this topic !

Great! I also really liked the book. Enjoy the rest......

[Gaurnim]

A new series by Jasper Fforde, set in a world where the color you can see determines your social rank : Shades of grey.

Here is an interview of the author on Goodreads :
http://www.goodreads.com/interviews/...Jan_newsletter

[Fledchen]

I wonder if he knows that people with achromatopsia have other profound visual problems as well, usually nystagmus, amblyopia, and photophobia.
I know, I know, it's supposed to be a metaphor, but I think it's funny that authors like to give their characters impairments without considering the full implications and consequences of those impairments.

[StarryUK]

I've enjoyed nearly all of the Jasper Fforde books I've read (The Well of Lost Plots was a bit of let down) and I've seen him give a talk a couple of times and he is a hugely entertaining man to listen to as well

My favourite was The Fourth Bear and I like the sound of the new book too.

starryUK in the Socialist Republic of Wales (in-joke)

[shattler]

I read Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey and loved it. It was weird and quirky and really draws the reader in. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by Fledchen

I wonder if he knows that people with achromatopsia have other profound visual problems as well, usually nystagmus, amblyopia, and photophobia.
I know, I know, it's supposed to be a metaphor, but I think it's funny that authors like to give their characters impairments without considering the full implications and consequences of those impairments.

He also has characters who communicate through footnotes and travel through time.

[Ea]

I've recently finished "Shades of Grey". Now waiting for the next Fforde novel - hopefully it won't be as long time in production as this one. I wish he could write faster