The Woman Who Died A Lot

The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde is the next title in his excellent Thursday Next series.  Those of you who haven’t been following this series will want to stop right now and go pick up the first title from the series – The Eyre Affair – and return to this book once you’ve caught up with the series.

This book continues the inimitable series & finds Thursday forced out of Bookworld.  In typical Thursday fashion she moves right on.  Here she picks up the reins as Swindon’s chief librarian, continues to battle Goliath, watches as her family have a large & unexpected impact on events of the world, and generally gets on with saving the world – again.

As a librarian myself I found the “color” of Thursday the librarian strongly appealing.  Let me provide you with a couple of quotes.  The first is from the chapter 14 lead quote (Fforde uses these quotes to paint a picture/provide some history of his world)

The dismantling of SO-27 had some peculiar and unforeseen consequences, not least the legalizing of lethal force within libraries “for the maintenance of the collections and public order.”  Originally intended for deterrent to thieves, the legislation quickly became known as the “Shush Law,” when overenthusiastic librarians invoked a “violent intervention” for loud talking.  Libraries have never been quieter, and theft and vandalism dropped by 72 percent.

The second quote just tickled my funny bone.  Here she is responding to her assistant telling her about an appointment that’s been scheduled:

“Do I have to talk to insane people?”

“You’re a librarian now.  I’m afraid it’s mandatory.”

So in conclusion, this book, and indeed the series it is a part of, are heartily recommended.