The Eyre Affair, the first book in the Thursday Next series, is an imaginative mystery novel set in an alternate reality. Though many of the every day parts of this imagined world are the same as our, there are constant references to fantastical elements. For example, people still travel by zeppelin, time travel is possible, and people with literature degrees can actually get a job.In Fforde's creative universe, it is possible to enter literary works and alter the plot. The main character, detective Thursday Next, is part of the literary police charged with protecting English literature. She fights evil-doers with a fast trigger finger, quick wit, and a commanding knowledge of books. Basically, this novel is every librarian's dream. The best scenes in this book are those meshed into scenes from classic literature, such as Jane Eyre. Reading The Eyre Affair almost made me grateful for my high school English class. Almost. It really isn't fine writing, but it's clever and engaging, and smart enough to be worth your while.
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