Jasper Fforde - Page 2

Fledchen · 12-28-2008, 06:02 PM

I did a little research of my own (skimming book reviews), and it looks like for The Eyre Affair, I should read both Jane Eyre and Martin Chuzzlewit. I already have Martin Chuzzlewit on my Sony Reader (acquired as one of my 100 freebies), and Jane Eyre is in my Calibre queue.

jimbolini · 12-28-2008, 11:55 PM

You do not need to have read the referenced (Eyre etc.)books. Fforde pretty much assumes the reader has not.
As a previous poster said, the great things about Ffordes books are the basic premises. The writing itself is so-so. I enjoyed myself taking the great basic ideas (like book travelling) and imagining how I could tweaked the books better to my liking.

BenG · 12-29-2008, 12:09 AM

Just rent the Jane Eyre movie with Orson Welles.

You won't need it to enjoy the book, though.

Actually knowing the ending of Jane Eyre confused me a little at first because everyone in the book was talking about how great Jane Eyre was except for the weak ending.

desertgrandma · 12-29-2008, 02:03 PM

Okay, so I've just started reading "The Eyre Affair".

I may have found a new favorite author. I already love the style of writing, and characters.

And I'm only on page 4!

desertgrandma · 01-03-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

The Eyre Affair isn't based on Jane Eyre, although having some familiarity with the plot and the ending of it will help immensely - otherwise some parts just won't make as much sense. I've only read it the once, I think, and many years ago at that, so you certainly don't need to be on intimate terms with it.

You're more likely to come away from each boook with a list of works you want to read

I've never found a crib sheet, although there may be something buried in the Jasper Fforde forums or website that lists them. But authors referenced include:
Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jasper Fforde, the Brontes, Enid Blyton, George Eliot, Lewis Carroll, Leo Tolstoy, W E Johns...

Plus half a tonne of puns, daft references and so on.

Well, I"m almost done with the book, and I must say, its a keeper. Thankfully, there is a quick synopsis of Jane Eyre towards the end. Told me everything I needed to know (for me)

You are so right, I just made a bee-line to our books here, and downloaded "Martin Chizzelwitt". This is huge for me, since (gasp!) I am most definitely not a fan of early English writers. 'sigh. And perhaps I may have to eventually try some others.....altho sad stories make me weep and run for my Xanex.

HarryT · 01-03-2009, 04:15 AM

Hmmm. I'm not sure that "Martin Chuzzlewit" is the ideal introduction to Dickens, if you've not read him before. Personally I'd go for "Oliver Twist" or "Great Expectations". They are both a lot "lighter" and a lot shorter.

Sparrow · 01-03-2009, 04:41 AM

I think it is the connection 'Martin Chuzzlewit' has to 'The Eyre Affair' that has piqued desertgrandma's interest.
I don't think it's a bad introduction to Dickens, and the U.S. episodes may make it paricularly interesting to readers that side of the pond.

desertgrandma · 01-03-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hmmm. I'm not sure that "Martin Chuzzlewit" is the ideal introduction to Dickens, if you've not read him before. Personally I'd go for "Oliver Twist" or "Great Expectations". They are both a lot "lighter" and a lot shorter.

Oh my gosh. I read "Great Expectations" and "Oliver Twist" a hundred years ago.

Are you saying that a story about a poor crippled kid who falls in love with a gold digging waitress who makes fun of him and breaks his heart is lighter than "Martin Chuzzelwitt"?

and "Oliver Twist"? I remember nothing 'light' about that one.

Perhaps I'm just not meant to read the great novels. I"ll try "Chuzzelwitt" and take it from there.

Thanks, Sparrow, thats exactly what made me want to read it in the first place!

pilotbob · 01-03-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Oh my gosh. I read "Great Expectations" and "Oliver Twist" a hundred years ago.

See...you are too old to carry so much karma.

BOb

desertgrandma · 01-03-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

See...you are too old to carry so much karma.

BOb

still beatin' the carp outta you, you dang young whippersnapper!

pilotbob · 01-03-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

still beatin' the carp outta you, you dang young whippersnapper!

Sigh. I have to give you karma for that. Too funny.

BOb

jimbolini · 01-04-2009, 10:43 PM

Fforde deliberately picked Chuzzlewit for good reason as one of the least popular Dickens works - Hades appraisal was not far wrong IMO!
If you want to tackle Dickens, my personal pick for an intro. would be Tale of Two Cities.

desertgrandma · 01-04-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbolini

Fforde deliberately picked Chuzzlewit for good reason as one of the least popular Dickens works - Hades appraisal was not far wrong IMO!
If you want to tackle Dickens, my personal pick for an intro. would be Tale of Two Cities.

Thanks ........I was wondering at his choice....

desertgrandma · 01-04-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbolini

Fforde deliberately picked Chuzzlewit for good reason as one of the least popular Dickens works - Hades appraisal was not far wrong IMO!
If you want to tackle Dickens, my personal pick for an intro. would be Tale of Two Cities.

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

Gaurnim · 01-05-2009, 05:20 AM

I've read and enjoyed the Thursday Next series a lot.
I hadn't read Jane Eyre but I could understand and enjoy the story without any problem.
But it sure helps to have at least a bit of knowledge in english lit classics.

My wife and I have recommended and offered these books many times to friends and family, and each time it was a success.

As a side note, you can find another conversation on Japser Fforde here :
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13273

01-04-2009, 10:43 PM	#27
jimbolini Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: none	Dickens refs. in Eyre affair Fforde deliberately picked Chuzzlewit for good reason as one of the least popular Dickens works - Hades appraisal was not far wrong IMO! If you want to tackle Dickens, my personal pick for an intro. would be Tale of Two Cities.

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12-28-2008, 06:02 PM	#16
Fledchen Guru Posts: 663 Karma: 84658 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minnesota, USA Device: PB360+, Sony950, VR Stream, iPod Touch, iPad	I did a little research of my own (skimming book reviews), and it looks like for The Eyre Affair, I should read both Jane Eyre and Martin Chuzzlewit. I already have Martin Chuzzlewit on my Sony Reader (acquired as one of my 100 freebies), and Jane Eyre is in my Calibre queue.

12-28-2008, 11:55 PM	#17
jimbolini Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: none	You do not need to have read the referenced (Eyre etc.)books. Fforde pretty much assumes the reader has not. As a previous poster said, the great things about Ffordes books are the basic premises. The writing itself is so-so. I enjoyed myself taking the great basic ideas (like book travelling) and imagining how I could tweaked the books better to my liking.

12-29-2008, 12:09 AM	#18
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	Just rent the Jane Eyre movie with Orson Welles. You won't need it to enjoy the book, though. Actually knowing the ending of Jane Eyre confused me a little at first because everyone in the book was talking about how great Jane Eyre was except for the weak ending.

12-29-2008, 02:03 PM	#19
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Okay, so I've just started reading "The Eyre Affair". I may have found a new favorite author. I already love the style of writing, and characters. And I'm only on page 4!

01-03-2009, 04:15 AM	#21
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Hmmm. I'm not sure that "Martin Chuzzlewit" is the ideal introduction to Dickens, if you've not read him before. Personally I'd go for "Oliver Twist" or "Great Expectations". They are both a lot "lighter" and a lot shorter.

01-03-2009, 04:41 AM	#22
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	I think it is the connection 'Martin Chuzzlewit' has to 'The Eyre Affair' that has piqued desertgrandma's interest. I don't think it's a bad introduction to Dickens, and the U.S. episodes may make it paricularly interesting to readers that side of the pond.

01-05-2009, 05:20 AM	#30
Gaurnim Final Five n°42 Posts: 789 Karma: 3599 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lyon, France Device: Cybook Gen3	I've read and enjoyed the Thursday Next series a lot. I hadn't read Jane Eyre but I could understand and enjoy the story without any problem. But it sure helps to have at least a bit of knowledge in english lit classics. My wife and I have recommended and offered these books many times to friends and family, and each time it was a success. As a side note, you can find another conversation on Japser Fforde here : https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13273

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