The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Every so often, as a reader, you come across a book that is, quite simply, a joy to read. As far as I am concerned The Eyre Affair by Jasper FForde is one of these, and yes, I know I am not supposed to start a review with the conclusion but this time I simply cannot help myself!

For those who have not read this The Eyre Affair is set in alternate version of 1980's England. A world where the Crimean War is ongoing, airships grace the skies, Wales is a strongly independent nation (something I particularly liked) and, thanks to the everyday use of genetics, the dodo is the household pet of choice.

This is a reality where crimes against literature are among the most hated and as a result there is an agency dedicated to the prevention of, and solving of, these acts when they do occur. Our heroine, Thursday Next, is one of these agents. She has a colourful family each of whom is important to the story to a certain degree; a brother who is an odd version of a vicar, a father on the run from the Chronoguard (or time police, as yes, time travel is possible here) who can pop up at any moment as he is, in fact, running through time, and an uncle who is the perfect example of the absent-minded professor, constantly inventing some truly wonderful things.

When a manuscript is stolen (and threatened with change) it is up to Thursday to solve the crime. This puts her, and those close to her, in the sights of the villain of the piece. When the original 'Jane Eyre' is taken things get a bit more personal as it turns out that Thursday has a special history with this novel. In this reality it is possible (though rarely) for fiction and the real world to blend to the extent that as a child Thursday found herself meeting Mr Rochester. With the destruction of this treasure threatened she must do everything in her power to save it - including returning to the world of the book.

There is a breathtaking love of literature apparent on virtually every page of this novel. The characters are all detailed, flawed, believable people with no weak links among them. However naming them must have taken Mr Fforde quite a while - hilarious and groan-inducing in equal measure. The fusion of reality and fiction is quite flawless. The time travel sections create a good sub-plot and is not riddled with cliches as is often the case when time is used in fiction. There is a romance element present although it is quite corny and predictable but I think this may be deliberate as Jane Eyre is so important to proceedings. I found myself wishing some of the inventions, especially the prose portal and the bookworms, could really exist.

I love The Eyre Affair and would recommend it to everyone, those yet to discover it and anyone who feels like revisiting this wonderful world. Finally, I feel the need to say that I am now, and forever more, a fan of the dodo!