The Eyre Affair: Thursday Next Book 1

2 1/2 stars. Buy only if you find a cheap copy! Let's see: - a well-written book with interesting characters and plot - quite a bit of tongue-in-cheek or even flagrant attempts at humour (dry or otherwise) - hom(m)ages galore to many of the great writers, poets and artists of the last several hundred years including Jane Eyre, Shakespeare and more - and what appears to be a wild mix of Monty Pythonisms mixed with the writing style of such authors as Charles Stross (ref. Laundry Files), Sir Terry Pratchett (ref. parallel worlds) and even perhaps arguably Douglas Adams. And what do you get? Well, in my opinion a rather dull, unengaging mix of random witticsms mixed with off-the-wall 'capers' and even some grade-B bathroom stall humor. Jack Schitt? Really? I'm sorry, but this book did nothing for me. I can understand how lovers of 'classical literature' might enjoy defending and saving the day in the literal pages of original printings or even flashing off into a paradox-laden world that seems more interested in determining if Shakespeare actually wrote, well, Shakespeare than in stopping war, but for me, I was very tempted to put it down not even half-way through. Just silly and not in a good way. Oh well, at least I can save my money and avoid the rest of the 'series'.

Surreal crime fictioni