Margaret

Margaret asked Jasper Fforde:

I'm FOREVER trying to get people to read excellent, if older, books such as Jane Eyre, without which Thursday would be the poorer. It's got to the stage where I'm giving books of nursery rhymes to people's new babies, knowing the parents, too, will be subjected to them repeatedly, in preparation for the Nursery Crime books! Other than your own (natch) what books should be universal reads? Shakespeare, Bronte...

Jasper Fforde Universal reads? Wow, what a question. I think the battle is to first get people to read, and in the habit of reading. Preferably - and I think crucially - from a young age. For this reason I am a huge fan of Enid Blyton, and recommend it as a series of books that get kids into reading before they are ten. Once you are in the habit, I think all the rest drops into place. A reader will navigate the shores of literature on their own, and read, most likely, those books which often drop into anyone's must read list - so we don't have to make one!

More Answered Questions

Kat

Kat asked Jasper Fforde:

I hate to be that person but not as much as I hate not knowing though continually hoping it will be this year each year, and so my question is: when will the next Shades of Grey book be released? I have read Jennifer Strange's adventures happily and was delighted with new installments of Thursday Next, but through those years I have held onto a great excitement for forthcoming stories from Eddie Russett's world.

Victoria

Victoria asked Jasper Fforde:

I love all your series, they're on my shelf, all pretty like, & I have a paper copy of Eyre Affair to lend out (I don't trust people with my hardbacks). I'd love it if there was a Fforde Fiesta here in Texas soon. I digress, my question: Which of your characters are most strongly based on people in your life?

Carly

Carly asked Jasper Fforde:

I know a bunch of other people are asking really long, sometimes personal, questions. All I have for you is this: Is there going to be another Chronicles of Kazam coming out after the Eye of Zoltar? If so, when? It ends on the biggest cliffhanger I've ever known.

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