Today is a day of celebration for booklovers; it is UNESCO International Day of the Book, and also World Book Night 2013. Over the course of today approx. half a million books will be given away free in the UK, by book givers who have volunteered to be part of this amazing event. There will also be many events taking part here and in Ireland and the US to celebrate this day of giving.
The book I am giving away is The Eyre Affair
There is another 1985, somewhere in the could-have-been, where the Crimean war still rages, dodos are regenerated in home-cloning kits and everyone is deeply disappointed by the ending of ‘Jane Eyre’. In this world there are no jet-liners or computers, but there are policemen who can travel across time, a Welsh republic, a great interest in all things literary – and a woman called Thursday Next.
In this utterly original and wonderfully funny first novel, Fforde has created a feisty, loveable heroine and a plot of such richness and ingenuity that it will take your breath away.
Set in a rather surreal version of the UK in the year 1985, everyone loves literature, the Crimean War is still going on, and cloning exists.
Fforde’s hero is called Thursday Next, a woman that polices text, a Spec-Op. Imagine a world where someone can jump into a manuscript and abduct the characters, can hold characters to ransom, or can edit them out of existence. Well that is where Thursday Next comes in, she specialises in any problems that are literature related, and we follow her exploits as she tries to resolve the crimes.
Cleverly scripted, it gives us a fantasy world like no other. The characters come alive, the location, and the allusions to literature are wonderful.
Best of all I laughed out loud as I read it, always a sign of a good read.
The reason I chose this book? Well my husband reads, but not fiction, mostly text books and he was looking for a book to take away, I offered him my personal copy of this one. He read it through from start to finish and immediately went on to read the rest in the series that tells me this is a book that will be enjoyed by someone that does not really pick up a book to read.
I have been involved with WBN since its inception and have found it one of the most rewarding things to do, to go out there and give away books.
I wish WBN every success today, and hope that all of those that are giving, enjoy the experience, and all of those that receive a book today, will feel some of the magic of the written word.