I’m over at Vulpes Libris today, talking about why I didn’t like The Eyre Affair (2001) by Jasper Fforde as much as I’d hoped I would…
Let me know if you love it – or which books you’ve found disappointing after waiting to read them for years.
I’m over at Vulpes Libris today, talking about why I didn’t like The Eyre Affair (2001) by Jasper Fforde as much as I’d hoped I would…
Let me know if you love it – or which books you’ve found disappointing after waiting to read them for years.
I, too, dislike it. I read the first 50 or 100 pages back in 2002 or 2003 because so many people recommended it. They thought “Eyre”. “She likes Victorian novels. Hence, she will love this.” It’s been a long time so I do not recall the specific details but the writing was not to my taste. I don’t much like fantasy, sci-fi, alternate realities, or Jane Austen characters transforming into zombies or wrestlers. I do, however, like good writing. This writing struck me as almost dead upon arrival and the literary humor struck me as silly. I prefer books that are closer to character studies than to caricature.
I tried one of his books but it didn’t gel for me. Sometimes you can expect a lot from other people’s hyping up of a book but if it isn’t for you, then it isn’t for you. There were a lot of these jokey, post-modern style books about (I read a few of the Aberystwyth Mon Amour types) and the joke wore off very quickly for me.
I thought this book was a lot of fun although I have not continued with the series (yet, at least). Also, the book encouraged me to read Martin Chuzzlewit (my first Dickens!), so for that reason I will be forever grateful to Jasper Fforde.
Completely agree with your comment about Jayne Eyre and Rochester! Not that I am actually answering the question as set here .
It’s a fun book with lots of wordplays. Should not be read like a serious novel. The fantasy is unlike other fantasy.
Thursday Next is a playful character.
I give the book away as a gift.
Pretty much hated this one. Couldn’t take all the puns.
The Eyre Affair had been recommended to me and I had hoped to enjoy it. I didn’t; I found it irritating and began to dislike Jasper who struck me as trying too hard and a bit of a smarty pants. I may give him another go sometime, but not for quite a while.