Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde

18 years ago

I've just picked up a copy of Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde at my public library and am surprised not to find the author's name in a search here. Have you read any of his books and do you recommend any of them?

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Comments (6)

ccrdmrbks
18 years ago
We have discussed both series, but perhaps so long ago that it has fallen off the edge. Personally, I prefer the Thursday series to the Nursery Rhyme series-but I know Martin likes that one as well. They are quick and funny and will definitely stretch your memory back to high school lit class!
lauramarie_gardener
18 years ago
His books have been so highly recommended to me. Yet, I still haven't tried one! Guess it's the un-reality that bothers me. Don't know why, as I loved the Isabel Allende "Eva Luna" stories; Garcia Marquez's "General in His Labyrinth"; Terry Pratchett "Discworld"; and best of all -- "August Frost" (Monique Roffey) my favourite novel in 14 years. ... All those have un-reality going on. Guess I'll have to *make myself* try a JF book, because they sound sooo strange, and positive, too. Besides, he's English --- my favourites writers (also the Irish).
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Thanks for the explanations about R McK. I checked our county library 'on-line' section and they don't seem to have any of her books in stock, although this could be because they don't seem able to deal with McKinley and can only come up with MacK words. Even as a child I was not happy with fairy stories/make-believe and much preferred true-to-life books. As for names I think in the UK we are tending to go the way of America . . what you do today we will probably be following before long. I can't say I have ever heard an English girl called Brooke or Sydney and Tracy, along with Sharon has become attached to 'Estuary' England. Did you know that Wendy was 'invented' by J M Barrie in Peter Pan and the boy's name 'Barry' along with 'Clive' were originally surnames . . .probably dozens more egs. The name 'Sandy' is always short for either Sandra (for a girl) or Alexander for a boy, particularly in Scotland. Also quite popular for dogs! We certainly don't have your rich mix of 'first' names (or Christian names are they are still known over here). Can someone please tell me why it is that American women often use a couple of surnames rather than dropping the first when they get married; something we seldom do over here?
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martin_z
18 years ago
They are hilarious, brilliantly clever and full of dreadful puns. I love them. How could anyone NOT like books with people with names like Thursday Next and Braxton Hicks; where one of the major characters is The Cheshire Cat; and where people communicate via footnotes?

The first in the series is The Eyre Affair and I'd recommend you read that one first, before Lost in a Good Book.
ccrdmrbks
18 years ago
oh definitely-these MUST be read in order for maximum hilarity. And so you have a clue about what is going on!
dorieann
18 years ago
I enjoy the Thursday Next books, but honestly prefer the Nursery Crime series. The stories seem more linear and less convoluted. I think I'm in the minority with that opinion. I was sad to hear Fforde plans that the next book will be the final one of the Nursery Crime series. It's tentatively titled The Last Great Tortoise Race, but no word on when it will be published.
lauramarie_gardener
18 years ago
Dear Martin z & ccrdmrbks:

Thanks for the advice. It's good to know if starting a series in the middle will spoil things. With some it doesn't matter; w/others, it does.

P.S.: I *love* puns!

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Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde

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