The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

1985, Britain. Time travel in an everyday task along with cloning and celebrating recognised literature pieces. But with every advanced society there are the few who can’t stand the happiness of others and work to ruin the structures of society. Baconians argue that Francis Bacon wrote Shakespeare, Surrealists and Impressionists regularly riot in the streets and the original manuscript of Martin Chuzzlewit is stolen and altered so that a minor character disappears from all the volumes ever printed.

With all these supposedly random attacks that are undertaken on classic works, the secret purpose of these ambushes is revealed – Jane Eyre. Following this, Special Operatives Literary detective, Thursday Next is summoned to help save Jane Eyre from being forever wiped from her pages. With the juggling of intruders in Thornfield and numerous deceptions at every corner, Thursday must save Jane Eyre before history is forever changed.

The first in its series, Fforde is able to make humorous digs at historical fiction whilst incorporating a unique notion of time travel through literature. Like any true sci-fi novel, its complexities make it all the more enjoyable to read as its puzzles and quirks are deciphered by the audience.

Author: Jasper Fforde
Publisher: New York: Viking, 2002

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