The Big Over Easy

by Jasper Fforde | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0340835672 Global Overview for this book
Registered by RoryG of Bluemont, Virginia USA on 7/31/2005
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7 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by RoryG from Bluemont, Virginia USA on Sunday, July 31, 2005
Amazon.co.uk Review
The word of mouth on Jasper Fforde has long been enthusiastic, among those in the know. But now that his readership has expanded immeasurably, the expectations for such books as The Big Over Easy are considerable. And whether or not those expectations will be met by this new book depends on the readiness of readers to strike out in new directions--just as the author has done. Fforde’s speciality has long been the outrageous teasing of narrative forms, and there's a measure of that here, although more disciplined than in earlier books.

Rather in the fashion in which Stephen Sondheim exploded the world of fairytale in Into the Woods, Fforde here brings all the apparatus of the tough crime thriller to bear on the nursery rhyme. Minor baronet Humpty Stuyvesant Van Dumpty III has been found dead--and in pieces--beneath a wall in a less salubrious area of town. The perpetrator would appear to be his ex-wife, but she has shot herself. Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and his colleague Mary Mary are assigned to the case, and soon find themselves knee-deep in money-laundering, bullion smuggling and major problems with beanstalks.

This isn't quite the Fforde mixture as before, although he has previously favoured a crime motor for his plots. The skill in this outrageously entertaining (and rigorously plotted) concoction lies in a double conjuring trick: we are always amazed to find ourselves reading so assiduously about ludicrous figures (who become quite as interesting heroes as, say, Philip Marlowe) when common sense dictates only children should find such conceits entertaining. Not so! No child could appreciate the dazzling wordplay and witty imagination on offer here, and most readers will be more than happy to encounter detective Inspector Jack Spratt (and his contrary sidekick kick Mary Mary) again and again. --Barry Forshaw

Synopsis:
'It looks like he died from injuries sustained during a fall...' Bestselling author Jasper Fforde begins an effervescent new series. It's Easter in Reading - a bad time for eggs - and no one can remember the last sunny day. Humpty Dumpty, well-known nursery favourite, large egg, ex-convict and former millionaire philanthropist is found shattered beneath a wall in a shabby area of town. Following the pathologist's careful reconstruction of Humpty's shell, Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and his Sergeant Mary Mary are soon grappling with a sinister plot involving cross-border money laundering, the illegal Bearnaise sauce market, corporate politics and the cut and thrust world of international Chiropody. As Jack and Mary stumble around the streets of Reading in Jack's Lime Green Austin Allegro, the clues pile up, but Jack has his own problems to deal with. And on top of everything else, the JellyMan is coming to town...


I liked this one, but not as much as Thursday Next. But it's not far behind. This was more from the angle of the book characters and what I loved about Thursday books was the way the worlds were mixed up. And how the "real world" was not the reality we know. But definitely worth reading.

Journal Entry 2 by RoryG from Bluemont, Virginia USA on Wednesday, August 24, 2005
I'm making this a bookring. Finland only.
Participants:
1. kiala, Espoo
2. Cairbre, Helsinki
3. Niksu, Helsinki
(4. dotdot, Helsinki)
5. Lumivalko, Tampere
6. aava, Jyväskylä
7. CandyDarling, Helsinki
8. dotdot, Helsinki (wanted to be added again to be able to read the book)

...and then back to me :)

Journal Entry 3 by kiala from Espoo, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Tuesday, September 13, 2005
I got this today at the Helsinki meeting. I'm going to be quick, don't panic! I haven't finished this yet but I like it so far. I'll update.

Journal Entry 4 by Niksu from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Thursday, October 13, 2005
Got this from kiala on tuesday while visiting monthly meetup quickly. Cairbre has her own copy. I can't wait to start with this!

Journal Entry 5 by Niksu from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Sunday, October 30, 2005
Finished today. I liked the glimpses from Thursday Next books sprinkled here and there even though this has been written before Next-series. I probably missed quite a lot those and this needs re-reading anyway to catch all the jokes in it. Not as good as Thursday Next-novels but I agree with RoryG, still worth reading.

Thanks RoryG for sharing! To dotdot next.

Journal Entry 6 by dotdot from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Tuesday, November 8, 2005
An investigation with the Nursery Crime Division. Thanks, RoryG.

Edit 10.11.2005: My Master's thesis should take all my time for next couple of months. So this thick book must go forwards. I'll read it later with better time.
Edit 12.11.2005: Book was sent to Lumivalko today.

Journal Entry 7 by Lumivalko from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Sunday, November 20, 2005
Sain kirjan tässä pari päivää sitten. En vain ole kerinnyt koneen ääreen. Muutama luku on jo luettu. Tuskin maltan odottaa, että pääsen jatkamaan

Journal Entry 8 by Lumivalko from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Sorry, I hadn´t realized that the previous readers had been making their journal entries in english. Hate to brake the pattern.

I liked the book a lot. It reminded me of the Fables comics. Somehow references to fairy tales have always appealed to me. Worth reading - absolutely!

Journal Entry 9 by Lumivalko from Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland on Monday, December 26, 2005
The book is now out of my hands and on its way to Jyväskylä.

Journal Entry 10 by aava from Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Wednesday, February 1, 2006
The book has had some time off during its travel from previous reader(thanks Lumivalko, Margih and Tintti for taking care of it), but now it´s here safe and sound. Will start reading asap.

Journal Entry 11 by aava from Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Tuesday, February 21, 2006
There´s nothing like a good detective story to get you cheered up... And this one had all the ingredients plus some more. I have to agree with a few others: not as good as Thursday Next series, but not far behind. I loved the idea of Nursery Crimes Division! And I really really like the way Fforde mixes up everyday realism with some bizarre things.

A nice book, thanks RoryG for making the ring happen.

23.2: I mailed the book today, as it is quite a thick book it will be a packet and may take some extra days to be delivered.

Journal Entry 12 by CandyDarling from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Monday, February 27, 2006
Received the book today, thank you Aava for sending it and RoryG for organizing the ring! I loved The Eyre Affair, so I'm looking forward to reading this.

Journal Entry 13 by RoryG from Bluemont, Virginia USA on Thursday, January 31, 2008
The book is home again. I got it back from CandyDarling who decided to get her own copy. Thanks for everyone who participated.

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