Teaser Tuesday: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

I just realized that I have had this book since January, got haunted by it, and blogged about getting it, but still haven’t read it. Crazy, huh? I wasn’t saving it for any special occasion, nor was I saving it to be read after I read a particularly boring book (or at least, a book that I don’t feel like reading). I didn’t feel like reading it yet because it’s too big to bring around. It doesn’t fit in any of my bags — and it’s already (trade) paperback!

I know, what a lame reason.

But anyway, I’m reading it now, and it’s my entry for today’s Teaser Tuesday! Presenting Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde!

Shades of Grey by Jasper FfordeIt’s Britain, but not as we know it. Entire cities lie buried beneath moorland. Echoes of lost technology pepper the landscape, and there is evidence of conflict in abundance.

Democracy has been replaced by a Colourtocracy. Visual colour dominates society, from the feed-pipes that keep the municipal park green, to the healing hues you view to cure illness, to a social hierarchy based upon one’s limited colour vision. You are what you can see.

Eddie Russett has no ambition to be anything other than a loyal drone of the collective. With his better-than-average Red perception, he could marry an Oxblood, inherit the Stringworks, maybe even make Prefect.

Life looks colorful. Life looks good.

But then he moves to East Carmine and falls in love with a Grey named Jane who opens his eyes to the painful truth behind his seemingly perfect society.

Where have all the spoons gone?

What happened to all the people who never returned from High Saffron?

And why, when you begin to question the world around you, do black and white certainties reduce themselves to shades of grey?

The blurb alone is exciting, and I’m really psyched to keep on reading it. :P If I could get work out of the way…hmm. Oh, wait, here’s the teaser:

I awoke with a start to find my bedclothes in disarray. I had slept badly, waking at every tiny sound that might, to my fuddled mind, have been a threat. (p. 352)

Exciting, I tell you. Now I better start working so I can free up some time later to read. ;)

14 Thoughts on “Teaser Tuesday: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

  1. I either love his books or hate his books. There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground for me and Fforde. My teaser is from the first Nancy Drew book.

  2. Wow, what an interesting story. Yes, you had better get onto this one.

    mine is rather different to yours http://livemorenow.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/teaser-tuesday-the-adventures-of-alianore-audley/

  3. This sounds like a book I would like. Great teaser

  4. Great teaser. Funny that you mention saving books, because I´ve been saving this one for a free weekend :)
    Here´s my teaser: http://ifyoucanreadthis.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/teaser-tuesday-16/

  5. I’ve really been wanting to read this! I haven’t read any Fforde before, but I like the central idea and think it could be interesting. Also, love that cover!

    Check out my teaser at bookwanderer!

  6. Cool teaser. Here’s Mine.

  7. I meant to read this last month… Maybe this one???

  8. I’ve never read Fforde but I do have a couple of his books sitting on the shelf.Glad to know he’s one of your favorites. Here’s my teaser and giveaway

  9. Why does he feel threatened?

    I love Jasper Fforde, and I just requested this at the library. Hopefully I’ll have it soon!

    Mine is here.

  10. Nice teaser, enjoy the book! Mine is at The Crowded Leaf.

  11. Stephanie on March 2, 2010 at 10:42 pm said:

    This sounds really good. And I have read terrific reviews of this novel on other blogs. Great teaser!

    My teaser: A Bit of Chick Lit for Teaser Tuesday

  12. I just read Shades of Grey last week. I loved it so very much. It was very well done. Great teaser!

    Here’s my teaser.

  13. Good teaser :) Enjoy your book!

    Here are our teasers for this week :)

    ♥Isalys

  14. Pingback: One More Page » Blog Archive » BTT: Images, Images. - Because I can't stop reading them, it's just right to write about them, don't you think?

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