First Among Sequels

May 14, 2007
F
ull of bizarre subplots, many of which don't go anywhere, bestseller Fforde's fifth novel to feature intrepid literary detective Thursday Next (after 2004's Something Rotten
) blends elements of mystery, campy science fiction and screwball fantasy à la Terry Pratchett's Discworld. With the Stupidity Surplus reaching dangerously high levels all over England, Acme Carpets employee and undercover SpecOps investigator Next has her hands full trying to persuade her 16-year-old slacker son, Friday, to join the ChronoGuard, which deals with temporal stability; if Friday continues to sleep away his future, the end is near—for everyone. To complicate matters, a malicious apprentice begins making classic works of literature into reality book shows (Pride and Prejudic
e becomes The Bennets
), a ruthless corporation tries to turn the Bookworld into a tourist trap, and the Cheese Enforcement Agency tries to bust Next for smuggling killer curd. The fate of the world may lie in a Longfellow poem. Fans of satiric literary humor are in for a treat.

June 1, 2007
Something is very wrong in the book-mad alternative universe of Thursday Next: reading figures are down, reality TV is hitting a new low, and her son Friday has failed to join the Chronoguard and invent time travel, despite repeated visits from a Friday in the future, who did just that. Meanwhile, Goliath Corporation has resumed its efforts to exploit the possibilities of BookWorldsomething that could irrevocably change literature, starting with Pride and Prejudice. Adding to the fun are Thursday's new apprentices in policing literature: two fictional versions of herself with serious personality flaws. The reader's head may swim with the complications, but don't worrythe water is fine fun. A bit cluttered plot-wise and probably not the best place for a new reader to start the series (newbies should start with the first book, The Eyre Affair), this is essential for Fforde's many fans, who will be happy to return to a world of puns, allusions, and paradoxes. Plus, they'll find out if Thursday will actually have to perform her cover job and install carpets in Swindon. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/07.]Devon Thomas, DevIndexing, Chelsea, MI

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