The Eyre Affair

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I finished this book about a week ago. And I am at a loss for words. I don't even know where to begin to describe this book to you, let alone share my thoughts.

But I'll give it a try.

I'll start with the description: Great Britain circa 1985: time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. England is a virtual police state where an aunt can get lost (literally) in Wordsworth poems, militant Baconians roam freely spreading the gospel that Bacon not Shakespeare, penned those immortal works. And forging Byronic verse is a punishable offense. This is all business as usual for brainy, bookish (and heat-packing) Thursday Next, a renowned Special Operative in literary detection-that is until someone begins murdering characters from works of literature. When this madman plucks Jane Eyre from the pages of Bronte's novel Thursday faces the challenge of her career. Aided and abetted by characters that include her time traveling father, an executive of the all-powerful Goliath Corporation, and Edward Rochester himself, Thursday must track down the world's Third Most Wanted criminal and enter the novel herself to avert a heinous act of literary homicide.

Ok....just let that sink in a moment. 

Yeah, I get it.....sounds a little strange to me too.

This book is a wild ride unlike anything I have ever read before. The author Jasper Forde worked in the film industry and now writes novels. The Eyre Affair is the first in a series featuring the Thursday Next character. Before reading this book I knew nothing about the series or the author. I heard about it on the What Should I Read Next podcast.(highly recommend this podcast for book recommendations) I tend to lean toward books that feature literature, books, libraries, or bookstores in them and so this seemed to fit. 

But I had no idea what I was in for with this book. Just like the description sounds, there are things going on in this book that just make you go "Huh?" There were times I wasn't sure I even understood what was happening. Half way through I had know idea where the story was going and I wasn't sure I liked the book at all.

However, I must say Forde does an excellent job creating this literature loving world. People care about literature and the arts more than anything else. Who couldn't get on board with that? His characters are interesting and diverse. The story is creative, funny and adventurous. Forde gives just enough details to keep the story moving without revealing everything too soon. Then, at just the right moment he hits you with the wrap up. He also seamlessly sets up for the next book in the series so that you almost don't notice it.

So did I like the book? 

Initially? Not so much. As much as I thought the book was creative, there was a part of me that just didn't think it was for me. But it wasn't awful either.

Then I got to the end. Y'all know how important endings are to me right?

Well, I don't want to give anything away so I cannot give you details. Let me just say that when I got the the last six chapters of the book, Forde brought everything in the story together for the ending in such a fabulous way that my entire opinion of the book changed. I think this was overall a good read if you like books that feature literature, detective stories, crime stories, or science fiction. 

Now, not sure when I'll move on to the next book in the series. This first book was quite long and with the complications in the story it is not a mindless read. You really have to pay attention and you cannot go long periods of time between picking the book up again. You will forget what's happening. So reading these books is a time investment.

If any of this appeals to you in any way I would recommend you pick up this book. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I was able to get it from my local library so chances are you could too. If not, don't forget Thrift Books is always a good way to pick up books for low cost, especially older titles like this one.

I'm currently reading The Ladies of Ivy Hill Cottage, which is the last book on my summer stack! 

What are you reading? Did you finish your summer reading list? Let me know in the comments of this post or on the Facebook post.

In the meantime, Happy Reading!


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