Red Side Story by Jasper Fforde

April 23, 2024 5:56 AM

It's the UK, but not as we know it: civilisation has rebuilt after an unspoken 'Something that Happened' five hundred years before. Society is now colour-based, the strict levels of hierarchy dictated by the colours you can see, and the economy, health service and citizen's aspirations all dominated by visual colour, run by the shadowy National Colour in far-off Emerald City.

Out on the fringes of Red Sector West, Eddie Russett and Jane Grey have discovered that all is neither fair nor truthful within their cosy environment, and currently face trumped up charges that will see them die of the fatally soporific tones within the Green Room.

Negotiating the narrow boundaries of the Rules within their society, Jane and Edward must find out the truth of their world: What is it, where is it and even when it is. As they unpeel the lies that cloak their existence they come to the worrying conclusion that they may not be alone: That there might be a Somewhere Else beyond the sea, and more, Someone Else living there - and observing them all, purposefully unseen. (Shamelessly stolen from Amazon)

posted by Literaryhero (7 comments total)

So I loved this book, and the ending was so nice but also so final that I feel really disappointed. I remember reading somewhere that Fforde had a really hard time writing this book, and so I think he closed the door on further sequels, which is disappointing. Still, I think the two books in this series (Shades of Grey being the first) are my favorites, even moreso than the Thursday Next books.

Just as a note, I hadn't re-read Shades of Grey prior to this one and kind of wish I had. The beginning was a bit confusing, and even though after the first couple chapters it didn't matter, I would have liked to refresh my memory. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that if you liked the first one, you will like this and if you didn't like the first one, well, I don't understand you at all.
posted by Literaryhero at 6:02 AM on April 23 [3 favorites]

Eagerly awaiting the US release of this one!
posted by jedicus at 6:39 AM on April 23 [3 favorites]

Ooh, I loved Shades of Grey! Had no idea that a sequel was coming.
posted by Eddie Mars at 1:24 PM on April 23

It's the UK, but not as we know it: civilisation has rebuilt after an unspoken 'Something that Happened' five hundred years before.

DO NOT think about The Event.
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:15 PM on April 23 [1 favorite]

I'm excited for this one; it's been so long since the first one came out.
posted by maryellenreads at 8:07 AM on April 24

So, I didn't think it packed *quite* the same punch that Shades of Grey did 15 years ago, but it was nonetheless a delight to return to this horrible dystopia after so long. The stakes are higher, the humor is on point, the horrors are truly terrifying, and many of the mysteries raised in the first book are revealed.

Regarding a third book, Jasper Fforde said the following a few months ago: "Just to confirm, as many people have asked: There will be a third Shades of Grey and it will NOT take so long to come out. I'm hoping 2027 as I have a few projects to get out before it. (TN8, for one)"

If that's true, I'll be snapping it up when it hits the bookstore shelves.
posted by kyrademon at 2:27 PM on May 1

"Just to confirm, as many people have asked: There will be a third Shades of Grey and it will NOT take so long to come out. I'm hoping 2027 as I have a few projects to get out before it. (TN8, for one)"

OMG OMG OMG!
posted by Literaryhero at 9:32 PM on May 1