Detective Thursday Next has had her fill of her responsibilities in her new position at Jurisfiction, enough with Emperor Zhark's pointlessly drama...
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Jan 14, 2008
Martine
rated it: 
The fouth instalment of the Thursday Next series is my favourite one, the one in which all the plotlines set out earlier are woven together and political satire enters the series in a grand way.
In Something Rotten, Thursday returns from the book world to late-1980s England with her two-year-old son, two dodos and the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet, who wishes to see a bit of the world. As it happens, Hamlet's arrival in the real world poses a bit of a problem, for unbeknownst to Thursday, More...
In Something Rotten, Thursday returns from the book world to late-1980s England with her two-year-old son, two dodos and the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet, who wishes to see a bit of the world. As it happens, Hamlet's arrival in the real world poses a bit of a problem, for unbeknownst to Thursday, More...
Aug 19, 2011
Susanne
rated it: 
Something Rotten...but the problem isn't in Denmark. With the list of new August titles arriving in my email box, Goodreads fuelled my excitement: (another Jasper Fforde book! - is there enough time to run to Bryan Prince Booksellers to get a copy before they close?) only to be dashed - I've already read it, (although not in German...) the fourth book in the Thursday Next series. sigh.....
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially after being introduced to it in one of the most the delici More...
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially after being introduced to it in one of the most the delici More...
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Sep 29, 2011
Jen
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This was brilliant to read during the elections. Wow. Within the first two chapters, Fforde presents two political opponents battling it out on a show called Evade the Question Time. After the first volley of answers and debate, the moderator scores the participants thus:
At the end of the first round, I will award three points to Mr. Kaine for an excellent non-specific condemnation, plus one bonus point for blaming the previous government and another for successfully mutating the que More...
At the end of the first round, I will award three points to Mr. Kaine for an excellent non-specific condemnation, plus one bonus point for blaming the previous government and another for successfully mutating the que More...
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Jun 16, 2007
Ann
rated it:
Since this is probably my favorite of the Thursday Next novels, I will write about it- but I would highly recommend all of them. Thursday Next inhabits an England that seems to be from a parallel universe- our own time period, but vastly different. People actually love reading, and literature is a huge part of society and culture. Several hundred people have even officially changed their names to John Milton. Thursday Next is capable of entering the book world and has now spent several years
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Dec 29, 2008
Kallierose
rated it:
Inventive and unusual, these books are a blast. Thursday is a wonderful character, and everyone around her is just as much fun, from Spike (the vampire slayer) to Pickwick the dodo.
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Aug 15, 2007
Michelle
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I all the time wonder how I can make up a story like Jasper Fforde does...There's a croquet tournament, people, and the world's fate depends on who will win. Who thinks of that? Genuises like Jasper Fforde, that's who.
I thought the book wrapped up the series nicely...And then I saw the next Thursday Next novel at Barnes & Noble and actually squealed with delight. Can't wait to read it and see if Jasper Fforde has done it again, though I'm a little afraid he's just not ready to let go More...
I thought the book wrapped up the series nicely...And then I saw the next Thursday Next novel at Barnes & Noble and actually squealed with delight. Can't wait to read it and see if Jasper Fforde has done it again, though I'm a little afraid he's just not ready to let go More...
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Sep 20, 2011
In Something Rotten, Jasper Fforde ties together all of the loose ends that remain outstanding from the previous novels to create a thrilling story that retains all of the humor and literary mentions that make the series so memorable. Flashing forward two years from the last time the reader sees Thursday, it does take more than a few pages for the reader to adjust to the jump in time. In fact, I had to double-check to make sure I did not skip a novel because I was so surprised to find out that F
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Feb 05, 2009
The fourth title in the highly original Thursday Next series may attract new readers to Fforde's witty world. Fforde began with The Eyre Affair (**** Summer 2002), followed by Lost in a Good Book (***1/2 July/Aug 2003) and The Well of Lost Plots (**** July/Aug 2004). Loyal fans will once again appreciate Fforde's literary gags, deadpan humor, and surprising twists. This time, he adds in new political farce. But critics also note the novel's glacial pacing, inconsistent humor, and lack of inspira
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Jan 30, 2009
Gayle
rated it:
Jasper Fforde launched a memorable and quirky series when he wrote The Eyre Affair, starring Thursday Next, a Literary Detective who saves Jane Eyre from a kidnapper, and introduces a peculiar world in which the lines between reality and fiction are blurred if not invisible. Thursday's adventures continued with Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten, and most recently, First Among Sequels.
I was psyched to read the newest, but thought I'd better refresh my memo More...
I was psyched to read the newest, but thought I'd better refresh my memo More...
Oct 05, 2011
Lotzastitches
rated it:
I was looking for something to rent from the library on my kindle since it was a new feature. This book was available. Even though it was 4th in the series and I've only read the first book (The Eyre Affair) I thought I'd give it a go anyway. I wasn't disappointed.
Loved the Lorem Ipsum (because you know "Chicks love Latin") and the *heavily* sprinkled Shakespeare throughout.
One quote from Fforde's Hamlet:
"I’ve learned a lot of things while I’ve b More...
Loved the Lorem Ipsum (because you know "Chicks love Latin") and the *heavily* sprinkled Shakespeare throughout.
One quote from Fforde's Hamlet:
"I’ve learned a lot of things while I’ve b More...
Aug 14, 2011
Judy
rated it:
If you like your book filled with literary allusions and written in a whimsical style with absurd situations and characters, then this is the book for you. Something Rotten is the fourth book in the Thursday Next series (after The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, and The Well of Lost Plots) and I recommend that the books be read in order to fully appreciate the twists and turns of the plot. In this outing, Thursday Next, "Literary Detective", has returned to her hometown of Swindon,
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Jul 21, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
With every passing book in this series I fall deeper in love with Jasper Fforde's whimsical, inventive style and his penchant for the absurd. Thursday Next is everything I look for in a heroine: strong, intelligent, witty, and resourceful. Whether she is overthrowing evil corporations, offering relationship advice to Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, battling the undead or saving the world from imminent destruction, she is ever stalwart in the face of adversity.
The fourth book in the serie More...
The fourth book in the serie More...
Apr 10, 2011
Angela
rated it:
The popularity of Jasper Fforde's one-of-a-kind series builds with each new book. Now in the fourth installment, the resourceful literary detective Thursday Next returns to Swindon from the BookWorld accompanied by her son Friday and none other than the dithering Hamlet. But returning to SpecOps is no snap -- as outlaw fictioner Yorrick Kaine plots for absolute power, the return of Swindon's patron saint foretells doom, and, if that isn't bad enough, The Merry Wives of Windsor is becoming entang
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Dec 30, 2010
Karissa
rated it:
This is the fourth book in the Thursday Next series. Currently there are five books in this series with the sixth book, One of Our Thursdays is Missing, scheduled for March 2011 release. This was an excellent addition to the series, I thoroughly enjoyed it! The plot is complex and clever, the characters engaging, and the things that happen are ironic and funny. This is one of my favorite series. You definitely need to read the books prior to this one to understand what is going on in the story.
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Aug 03, 2010
Rowland
rated it:
Something Rotten is the fourth instalment of Thursday Next's adventures, and author Jasper Fforde continues the series with the same verve and cleverness that made the three preceding volumes so enjoyable.
At the beginning of the novel Thursday is still living in the world of books: as head of Jurisfiction she's in charge of keeping order there -- never an easy task, especially with a rampaging slapstick Minotaur hiding out somewhere. She's getting fed up, though, and decides to quit More...
At the beginning of the novel Thursday is still living in the world of books: as head of Jurisfiction she's in charge of keeping order there -- never an easy task, especially with a rampaging slapstick Minotaur hiding out somewhere. She's getting fed up, though, and decides to quit More...
Jun 04, 2010
Barky
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Thursday has been living in the book world for the past 2 years and acting as the head of Jurisfiction while raising her son, Friday (who only speaks Lorem Ipsum). In the process of tracking the Minotaur (who has been tagged with slapstick and is wreaking havoc across fiction), Thursday comes to the realization that she needs a serious dose of reality – literally. She wants back in the real world. So, she resigns her position and returns to Swindon with Friday, Pickwick (and her chick, Alan),
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Jan 04, 2010
Rebekah
rated it:
Jasper Fforde has written the 4th Thursday Next novel and I fear the last. Something Rotten ended so well I cried. All the baddies were taken out, and besides the fact that toast has taken over the British Isles, all seems pretty right with the world.
For those who have not read any of this series and you have a literary bent, run to the library or bookstore and find The Eyre Affair. You won't regret it. There are 3 more after that and that is where the regret begins. Oh and when you try a More...
For those who have not read any of this series and you have a literary bent, run to the library or bookstore and find The Eyre Affair. You won't regret it. There are 3 more after that and that is where the regret begins. Oh and when you try a More...
Nov 19, 2009
Genie
rated it:
“Something Rotten” is the fourth book in Jasper Fforde's entertaining and funny Thursday Next series. For two and a half years Thursday has lived in the literary world. She now heads the Jurisfiction Agency. Their goal to “safeguard the stability of the written word" in literature caused Thursday’s position to be hectic, stressful, and often times dangerous. With a two year old son, Thursday decides its time to go home. She wants to continue her efforts to bring back her eradicated husb
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Oct 20, 2009
Mrs. Foley
rated it:
Thursday Next, an English detective who mingles--literally--in the world of fiction, seeks to have her husband resurrected when her hands become full with her toddler son and her new companion, Prince Hamlet, and finds herself juggling Shakespeare clones and trying to save the world through a high-stakes croquet tournament. --From the library catalog
Fourth book in a very clever series. Great book with funny references to literature, politics, and other "real life" things. More...
Fourth book in a very clever series. Great book with funny references to literature, politics, and other "real life" things. More...
Aug 25, 2011
Anthony
rated it:
To be, or not to be, that is the question.
Actually, no - the question is what the heck is Hamlet doing in Swindon? And also, why is England agitating for war with Denmark? And, for that matter, do Swindon seriously expect to win the superhoop championship?
Thursday Next is back home again in the real world, mother of a 2-year-old, adopted grandmother of an obnoxious series 1 dodo, and chaperone of a rather conflicted Danish prince. And, of course, Goliath Corporation aren't More...
Actually, no - the question is what the heck is Hamlet doing in Swindon? And also, why is England agitating for war with Denmark? And, for that matter, do Swindon seriously expect to win the superhoop championship?
Thursday Next is back home again in the real world, mother of a 2-year-old, adopted grandmother of an obnoxious series 1 dodo, and chaperone of a rather conflicted Danish prince. And, of course, Goliath Corporation aren't More...
Apr 17, 2011
Holly
rated it:
The fourth in the Thursday Next series. Thursday is back in Swindon, trying to save the world while uneradicating her husband and finding daycare for her baby Friday.
Fforde is amazing; a crazy whirlwind of action written especially for those who love books. He keys into exactly what makes fiction so wonderful - we explore new worlds, we can escape into our imaginations, we experience the different or find solace in what reminds us of ourselves - and makes this the driving force of More...
Fforde is amazing; a crazy whirlwind of action written especially for those who love books. He keys into exactly what makes fiction so wonderful - we explore new worlds, we can escape into our imaginations, we experience the different or find solace in what reminds us of ourselves - and makes this the driving force of More...
Sep 20, 2009
Mikko
rated it:
The fourth Thursday Next novel brings new elements into the series, ties together many plotlines that have been going on in the previously novels, and offers a breath-taking ride that is at times creaking near the breaking point thanks to all the different story elements loaded onboard.
Jasper Fforde does not rest on his laurels, but continues to develop his series of Thursday Next novels into new and inspiring directions. This time around he introduces political satire - and does so More...
Jasper Fforde does not rest on his laurels, but continues to develop his series of Thursday Next novels into new and inspiring directions. This time around he introduces political satire - and does so More...
Oct 17, 2011
Arow
rated it:
‘Something Rotten’ by Jasper Fforde is the fourth installment of the Thursday Next Series and is my second favourite after the first story. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed book two and three but they were missing that underlining charm that ‘The Eyre Affair’ and ‘Something Rotten’ carry.
‘Something Rotten’ follows Thursday two years after ‘The Well of Lost Plots’. She has spent the last two years raising her son Friday within fiction. She has reached the point where she feels More...
‘Something Rotten’ follows Thursday two years after ‘The Well of Lost Plots’. She has spent the last two years raising her son Friday within fiction. She has reached the point where she feels More...
Jan 05, 2012
Sally
rated it:
It was slow-going at first with this book. I disciplined myself to finish some other things I'd been working on, and in doing so, I lost momentum in the series. I would pick this up at various intervals, read a little bit, then put it back down. But for the last few days, I've had more time to devote to reading, and I can tell you without a doubt that this book is just as charming and compelling as the first three Thursday Next novels. I love the author's creativity and imagination. Since to
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Mar 02, 2010
Sara
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 17, 2011
Elizabeth (Miss Eliza)
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After two years of hunting the Minotaur, two years of being without Landen but with his son, two years away from Swindon and the real world, Thursday Next decides it's time to go home. But as a parting gift from the fictional world she has been policing, she gets to watch Hamlet in the real world or "Outland" as the fictional tend to call it. Which isn't really the safest place for him, seeing as the fictional Yorrick Kaine has miraculously risen to the post of Chancellor and is planin
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Jan 15, 2012
Ellie
rated it:
"We need someone like you, Miss Next – a human with drive, a propensity towards violence and the ability to take command – yet someone governed by what is right."
The fate of the world rests on the outcome of a croquet match between Reading and Swindon. Thursday Next is back in the real world with her two-year-old son, Friday, and Hamlet in tow and somehow she's at the centre of possible Armageddon. The government is on the cusp of declaring war with Denmark and being seen c More...
The fate of the world rests on the outcome of a croquet match between Reading and Swindon. Thursday Next is back in the real world with her two-year-old son, Friday, and Hamlet in tow and somehow she's at the centre of possible Armageddon. The government is on the cusp of declaring war with Denmark and being seen c More...
Jun 20, 2011
Robin
rated it:
Wonderful narrator made for great listening. In this installment in the Thursday Next series, Thursday is returning to the real world from time spent in fiction with her young son Friday. Her beloved Landon has been eradicated (erased from history) by the Goliath corporation. Thursday tries to get Landon back, help Hamlet out in a time of growing anti-Danish sentiment, figure out what the "ovanator" is and how Yorich Kane remains so powerful, and somehow the Swindon Mallets must win th
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Jul 08, 2010
Minh
rated it:
One of my earlier fears for this series was that Thursday had simply been married off too early. Like many good TV shows, it all seems to go downhill once your main characters have gotten their happily ever after. Jasper Fford neatly solved this problem by simply eradicating Landon, and keeping his eradicated well into the series.
Thus we have our poor Thursday, who after 2 years as head of Jurisfiction returns to the real world to renew her efforts to get back Landon. Her son Friday, is now two More...
Thus we have our poor Thursday, who after 2 years as head of Jurisfiction returns to the real world to renew her efforts to get back Landon. Her son Friday, is now two More...
Feb 10, 2011
Anna
rated it:
This was a new book to me. It's my first read and I know I'd be rereading at some point, because it's so full of references and jokes I'm sure I didn't get them all. I just wanted to know what happened to Thursday, to Landen, to Friday... and on.
What I found interesting is that the book really gives a sense of closure, something you didn't find in the other books, except for the first. You knew there had to be another Thursday Next book because adventure wasn't finished.
Now the ope More...
What I found interesting is that the book really gives a sense of closure, something you didn't find in the other books, except for the first. You knew there had to be another Thursday Next book because adventure wasn't finished.
Now the ope More...
