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Wednesday 19 October 2011

***Review*** Shades of Grey: The Road to High Saffron by Jasper Fforde

Released : 14th January 2010
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Series :Yes #1
Format : Hardcover
Source :Bought
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 5/5 

Goodreads Synopsis:
From the bestselling author of Thursday Next—a brilliant new novel about a world where social order and destiny are dictated by the colors you can see

Part social satire, part romance, part revolutionary thriller, Shades of Grey tells of a battle against overwhelming odds. In a society where the ability to see the higher end of the color spectrum denotes a better social standing, Eddie Russet belongs to the low-level House of Red and can see his own color—but no other. The sky, the grass, and everything in between are all just shades of grey, and must be colorized by artificial means.

Eddie's world wasn't always like this. There's evidence of a never-discussed disaster and now, many years later, technology is poor, news sporadic, the notion of change abhorrent, and nighttime is terrifying: no one can see in the dark. Everyone abides by a bizarre regime of rules and regulations, a system of merits and demerits, where punishment can result in permanent expulsion.

Eddie, who works for the Color Control Agency, might well have lived out his rose-tinted life without a hitch. But that changes when he becomes smitten with Jane, a Grey Nightseer from the dark, unlit side of the village. She shows Eddie that all is not well with the world he thinks is just and good. Together, they engage in dangerous revolutionary talk.

Stunningly imaginative, very funny, tightly plotted, and with sly satirical digs at our own society, this novel is for those who loved Thursday Next but want to be transported somewhere equally wild, only darker; a world where the black and white of moral standpoints have been reduced to shades of grey.


 My review.


The story follows Eddie Russet who lives in a society that is dominated by the colour spectrum.  It is a world where everything is defined by colour. Your life is determined by what colour you can see, even down to what job you do,  who you marry and your status in life.. Every other colour is just shades of grey. There is a hierarchy and the pecking order is determined by which colour group you belong to.  Eddie belongs to the reds.  After a prank Eddie is sent to the Outer Fringes to survey the ratio of chairs to citizens.   He meets and falls for Jane Grey, who belongs to the lowest of the colour groups.  When mischievous Eddie starts to question the higher authority things start to move at a rapid pace.  A death and a cover up, mysterious things start to happen around Eddie.


This is the first ever book I have ever read by Jasper Fforde and I loved it!! A good blend of characters mixed in a colourful dystopian world – what more could a girl want....... well a hero of course!  I found this in Eddie Russet.  I fell in love with him from the start.  


This book is romantic and satirical but with a dark edge.  The world which Fforde creates is fantastical and rich in detail. What an imagination this author has. I had to read the book twice to take in all the detail.  It does take a few chapters to get your head around the colourful world which Fforde created.

Just writing this review makes me want to read this book again. It is definitely a keeper!!  I loved this book so much.


I eagerly await the next instalment in this series.  It’s not out yet, but I’m keeping my eyes peeled.

Cover: 5/5 – it is so in tune with the book, painting by numbers what a cool idea.  I feel like getting my crayons out and colouring it in.
Rating: 5/5 – I’m still raving about this book a year on.  Fantastic and ticked every box.

To see my post on the book signing with Jasper Fforde : Click Here

21 comments:

So many books, so little time said...

This sounds really good but I am intrigued how big a part of the story does the colours play, interesting concept, thanks for the review.

Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

Chocolate Chunky Munkie said...

The book is dominated by colours. It really does fit with the dystopian world he creates - very clever if you ask me :D Even the places and character names have colour!
xx

Megan said...

I love Jasper Fford! The Eyre Affair is one of my favourite books and I'm going to feature it on my blog very soon!

Megan @ Storybook Love Affair

www.storybookloveaffair.blogspot.com

Lindsay said...

He is one of my favourite writers. I love the Thursday Next series and the Nursery Crime stories too. I met him about six years ago at a signing.

Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf said...

Sounds like an interesting premise.,.I wonder how similar it is to The Pledge which I am reading now. In that the classes are divided based upon which language they speak.

I'm a new follower! I've popped by before but just found you again thru Wed Social Bzzz.

♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

CYP @ A Bookalicious Story said...

Oh, my friend have repeatedly asked me to read Fforde's books, but haha, I keep procrastinating. That's a great review! Think I'll try it out soon!

Chris said...

I love this book! Can't wait until the next one comes out in 2013.

Veronika said...

I haven't read this book yet, so I think here is the time :)) Thank you for the review!

Rica said...

This sounds really good. i heard a lot of good things about this book, thanks for the review.

layen said...

I love Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series. I'm actually in the midst of reading Shades of Grey and am still trying to get my head around the world he has created. I never knew there is so much colour in the world LOL.

linda said...

I won this book in one of your giveaways last year! It was the first Jasper Fforde book I've read and I really enjoyed it. I really liked the world he has created in Shades of Grey and I enjoyed his writing style, it was quite daek at times but good bits of humour. I'm looking forward to reading another book of his-The Eyre Affair soon.

Cayce said...

I love Thursday Next! And this books sounds fantastic, as well. :) Added to my tbr list.
Thank you for the great review!

Kali Skittles said...

This book sounds so interesting! I cannot wait to get a hold of it soon. I love dystopia's and this one seems like a really different take on it.

FireStarBooks said...

Ohhhh! I had been waiting to read this book! <333 Thanks for the review!

D. Armfield said...

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www.book-nooker.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Thanks for reminding me why I wanted to read this. Need to dig it out.

Diana_Dimovska said...

If it's dystopian, it's a must read! Interesting concept indeed. Thanks for the review, I haven't heard of this book till now. Best regards, Diana

Bex n Books said...

I have heard so many positive reviews about this book, but have been reluctant to purchase it. It reminds me a little of novels like The Children of Men. Is it? I didn't know if it was a little heavy or not! Don't get me wrong, but I enjoy heavy, intense and thought provoking, I just like to know what I'm in for befor reading.
Your review actually makes it sound much lighter and readable then many reviews I've read, so thank you!

Suz Reads said...

Great review! I am a big fan of Jasper Fforde and loved this book and his Thursday Next books! I agree with you that sometimes you have to read things twice to catch all of his cleverness! Love his characters names and inventive stories!

Sue Moro said...

I loved this book, but I'm loving the UK cover even more!

Carl Scott said...

OK, you've convinced me. The next book I buy will be a Fforde. Not sure which one yet but he sounds like a riot, I think I'd enjoy it very much. Thanks

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