I've just brought this book, quite randomly, after seeing some of Jasper Ffordes' books last week in my local bookshop - but this one caught me attention. Is this a stand alone book - and if so does it not matter that you haven't read any of the Thursday Next books first. I ask this because I want to start on this book, because it looks great for summer holiday reading

Thanks

Hey hey Bookworm, welcome to the fold. Someone will be along shortly to take your measurements for a smoking jacket. They may even have some cake.

This is a standalone book in as much as it isn't part of the Thursday Next series, Jasper's previous 4 books. You can read it and it'll be fine on its own, but you'll realise the whole premise of the book after reading the other four. You'll get to appreciate it twice!

Let us know what you think

~~Is this a stand alone book - and if so does it not matter that you haven't read any of the Thursday Next books first.~~

WARNING: A PERSONAL OPINION FOLLOWS THIS CAUTIONARY STATEMENT! IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORD "OPINION" TO MEAN "SOMETHING SOMEONE STATES AS FACTUAL AND TRUE" RATHER THAN "SOMETHING SOMEONE SAYS AS A MEANS OF EXPRESSING EMOTION OR VIEWPOINT" THAN I SUGGEST YOU NOT READ THE REST OF THIS POST.


I'd just like to make one personal observation: I've noticed that when other authors write a series, it's normally independent of any other series or stories they may have written; however, this particular series is more a stem off of the TN tree rather than a tree of its own. The premise as well as many of the internal references are better understood when read in sequence with the TN series.

there's another problem about reading Big Over Easy first which is, its not JFf's strongest book. I'd suggest leaving this one until you'd read him at his best.

IMHO anyway.

oh, poo! I think y'all are too strict. I don't see why one couldn't read the Big Over Easy without reading the TN series. I say go for it. Enjoy yourself!

Definitely

~~oh, poo! I think y'all are too strict. I don't see why one couldn't read the Big Over Easy without reading the TN series...~~

Now, Yummy, I never said one couldn't read BOE without having read the TN series; I simply said that I thought the premise and internal references would be better understood and thus better enjoyed. If someone wants to read it first, by all means, have a blast. It is certainly a good enough book to hold its own. ::grin::

You could read it before and after, if you choose.
Welcome Bookworm!



Post Edited (08-12-05 03:55)

I dunno Azy, I think it'd be quite fun to read BOE first then the others after, that way BOE becomes better and better the more you know about it all...

~~I dunno Azy, I think it'd be quite fun to read BOE first then the others after, that way BOE becomes better and better the more you know about it all...~~

Very possibly so, IHazon303. My opinion may well be swayed by a chronic desire for symmetry and sequentiality. ::grin::

I think that you will get some of the references and jokes, and the slight irony of what his wife pulls on the guild application if you read Well of Lost Plots, the thing about that is...in order to get the Well of Lost Plots you've got to read the whole Thursday Next series, and personally I think that Something Rotten is the best book by Japser (out of Thursday Next I guess) but I loved The Big Over Easy and think if its your first taste of Jasper...you'll still love it to death.



SpecOps-27 Wordage is our business Grammar is our game.

***** SLIGHT SPOILER ********************








Wouldn't Lola Vavoom be classed as a "runner"? Jurisfiction had to be involved there somehow