Where Ben picks a book, I read it, and then we tell you how it went.
Title: The Big Over Easy
Author: Jasper Fforde
Genre: Fiction; Humor; Mystery
Year: 2006
My Rating: 3/5
What the book is about:
When Humpty Dumpty is found dead (shattered, next to a wall), Jack Spratt, a detective in the Nursery Crimes division, is on the case. What he finds is far from a simple suicide as some suspected. False confessions, misdirection, and meddling rivals make this investigation anything from “easy.”
Why Ben made me read this:
Being such a big fan of the Thursday Next series, I was anxious the check out the Nursery Crime books. I read The Big Over Easy over my Thanksgiving break a few years ago and was pleased to find the same unique, zany, quirky, and enthralling story telling that I associate with Jasper Fforde. It was such a fun way to re-experience and re-imagine the classic Humpty Dumpty story. The way Michelle (and I) enjoyed Thursday’s adventures, I figured it was about time for her to get to know Jack Spratt a bit better.
What I thought about it:
Oh dear. This book took me ages to finish. And its really not Jasper Fforde’s fault. This book did not live up to the Thursday Next series to me (or Shades of Grey for that matter), but it still has all of the Ffordian aspects – zigzagging plot, cheeky wordplay, and oddball characters – that I’ve grown to love in his writing. It’s just that my (very distracted) brain wasn’t really up to the task. Once I finally sat down with it and got into the story, I enjoyed it. It just took effort I didn’t always have. I think this goes in the “it’s not you, it’s me” category.
What’s next from Ben?
Candide by Voltaire
my books. my life. 
I love Fforde, and have read all but the last in the Thursday Next series. That being said, I have had this book on my shelves for quite some time, and haven’t yet read it. I need to get to it, but just haven’t had the time. I think the concept and ideas are interesting, so it should be a good read for me. Great and honest review today!
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I’ve got one of his books on the iPod, but have never actually read him. I know, I’m missing out. I can relate though to a distracted brain. It doesn’t take much with me.
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