The Eyre Affair Book Review
Some books are packed with clever wordplay, literary references, and delightful characters, and The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is one such gem. This is the first book in the Thursday Next Series, set in an alternate 1985 England, and follows the adventures of Thursday Next, a Literary Detective in Special Operatives 27.
If you imagine Thursday spends her time chasing after lost manuscripts and safeguarding beloved books, you’re right. From hunting down a stolen original manuscript of Martin Chuzzlewit to saving Jane Eyre, this book is rich with clever literary nods. Fforde’s love for reading is evident, as the story is filled with literature puns, making it feel like an adult’s version of The Phantom Tollbooth.
In The Eyre Affair, Thursday tackles the villainous Acheron Hades and confronts her past. Returning to her hometown of Swindon, she bumps into her old flame, Landon, which stirs up past emotions. Meanwhile, her quirky uncle Mycroft has invented a machine that lets people enter the pages of their favorite books. Unfortunately, both he and his invention are stolen, and soon Jane Eyre herself is kidnapped. With her family and Jane Eyre under threat, Thursday leaps into action, determined to save both her loved ones and the famous novel.
Thursday also discovers she might have visited the Brontë classic when she was a child. How is that possible? Can she rescue her family and Jane Eyre? Will she and Landon find love again? And what is Acheron Hades up to? You have to read The Eyre Affair to find out!
Fforde crafts his narrative through Thursday’s eyes, gradually revealing how her world operates. It’s a fascinating world where manuscripts are a hot commodity and time travel changes history and literature. The setting is engaging and humorous, and the characters from Jane Eyre remain true to Brontë’s style.
Thursday Next is a brilliant character—intelligent, a decorated veteran, and adept at knowing when to use diplomacy or force. She has strong convictions and fights passionately for what’s right. Her complexity makes her feel real and relatable, even though most of us won’t face the task of saving Jane Eyre from an assassination attempt.
The romantic elements in The Eyre Affair are also compelling. This book intertwines the romances of Jane Eyre and Persuasion. Thursday and Landon resemble Anne and Wentworth, while Jane and Rochester continue their iconic love story. Thursday’s rekindled feelings for Landon are a key subplot, highlighting why she initially left him.
If you love Jane Eyre, enjoy literature jokes, unconventional heroines, time-travel, or alternative histories, you’ll want to dive into The Eyre Affair and join Thursday Next on her first adventure.
The Eyre Affair is a fun read, brimming with engaging characters, literature puns, and a gripping mystery. It’s perfect for fans of Jane Eyre, literary humor, and imaginative storytelling. Don’t miss out on Thursday Next’s thrilling debut!
