"A must read. This is an original!"
In 1985 time travel and cloning are a consistent part
of life. In Britain, English literature has become so in
vogue, original manuscripts are quite valuable. Just ask
any of the zillion Williams, Charles, or Miltons. Acheron
Hades, currently ranked as the third most wanted man in the
world, wants to move up to numero uno. He steals the
original manuscript of Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit
and "kills" off a secondary character by erasing him from
the first book. All subsequent copies of the novel no
longer contain that character because he does not "exist"
in the pre-printed prototype. Word amongst the secretive publishing industry is that
Acheron plans to remove Jane Eyre next. This calls for a
special literary agent, Thursday Next of the undercover
Special Operations Network's Literary Detective Division.
She begins her inquiries with the Dickens' tale and soon
follows the pages to Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew
and a Rocky Horror version of Richard III. Will Thursday
save the literary world in time to return home by Friday or
will she become an editorial delete due to a poor critical
review? Jasper Fforde writes a zany, wild and weird affair that
is part science fiction, part alternate history, part
classic literature and all amusing satire that never stops
to look back at what is ripped besides a page or two. The
story line is fast-paced and loaded with action, but never
forgets to wink at the audience. Acheron is quite a
villain and Thursday is a superb heroine. Along with a
strong support cast that rounds out what is on, the
characters insure that this novel is going to be recognized
as one of more jocular tales of the year. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 23, 2002
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