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Shades of Grey

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Shades of Grey

By: Jasper Fforde
Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
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About this listen

"Hundreds of years in the future, after the Something that Happened, the world is an alarmingly different place. Life is lived according to The Rulebook and social hierarchy is determined by your perception of colour.Eddie Russett is an above average Red who dreams of moving up the ladder by marriage to Constance Oxblood. Until he is sent to the Outer Fringes where he meets Jane - a lowly Grey with an uncontrollable temper and a desire to see him killed.

For Eddie, it's love at first sight. But his infatuation will lead him to discover that all is not as it seems in a world where everything that looks black and white is really shades of grey . . .If George Orwell had tripped over a paint pot or Douglas Adams favoured colour swatches instead of towels . . . neither of them would have come up with anything as eccentrically brilliant as Shades of Grey."

©2010 Jasper Fforde (P)2010 Isis Publishing Ltd Contemporary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Funny Mind-bending Witty Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
This is not my usually preferred genre but I was recommended it by my son and I loved it. The first couple of chapters are baffling but intriguing and then it totally captivated me. As soon as I finished it I downloaded the follow up - Red Side Story - which I loved even more and when that was finished I went back and started the 2 books again.

The story is set in a futuristic dystopian world where people see in different colours and shades and this determines their place in society. The characters are wonderful and I was sorry to see them go when I had finished the books. I believe the 3rd one of this series is in the pipeline and I can't wait !

Loved it!

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If you haven't discovered Jasper Fforde yet then now's the time to start listening. Although it took me a while to get used to the voice of the narrator the quality of the writing and ease of the delivery soon had me hooked.
This story - like most of Fforde's books- is almost impossible to explain and if it sounds crazy, that’s because it is – Don’t be put off – go with it and you will not be disappointed!
Born into a society in which any colour is jealously hoarded and marrying 'down spectrum' is frowned upon, Eddie Russet (a Red) does not look destined for success...Sent to East Carmine to conduct a chair census (a punishment for trying to improve Queuing) Eddie has soon fallen for a 'Grey' girl who seems more likely to do him serious, and potentially life threatening, injury than to agree to marry, or even date him. This proves to be the least of Eddie's worries however, as he soon discovers that a tendency towards curiosity does not improve one's chances of survival - particularly when many so members of the community seem keen to hasten his demise.
Why is making spoons forbidden? Where do people really end up after 'Reboot'? Can Eddie find enough Loganberry jam to persuade the Apocryphal man to tell him the truth about the 'Something that happened' - and - the most important question of all - can he survive long enough to find out?...
Mad, funny, and brilliantly crafted, the only warning I will leave you with is that it leaves you desperate to listen to the sequel…

Surreal, Crazy - and wonderful

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Roll on the next book in the series, can't wait to find out what happens. The characters are so well rounded and the description of scenes, emotions, humour etc very well played, helped mightily by excellent narration bringing the characters to life.

Great story, characters and narration

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Initially I found the pacing a little slow and all of oddities of the world quite bewildering. But I couldn't stop listening for the last few hours, I was completely hooked.

Original and Intriguing

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engaging, fun, thought provoking. excellent performance too. I'm looking forward to hearing the new Jasper Fforde book next.

Jasper at his best

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Probably my favourite of jasper's books and translates to audiobook the best. The Thursday books are best read physically first as some of the jokes don't fully translate without the actual words in front of you. Shades of grey is a masterpiece of speculative fiction and I'd quite like the second one please Jasper.

Excellent

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I read this book seven or so years ago. I have to admit it was every bit as pleasurable this time round as when it was the first time! One of the best dystopian stories I have ever come across!

Truly a masterpiece!

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Quirky and odd as if to be expected from this Fforde. Don't know how I managed to miss reading it before.

loved this

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What made the experience of listening to Shades of Grey the most enjoyable?

Fantastically original, amusing, imaginative stuff with some unexpected plot developments and Jasper's usual barking sense of the surreal.

What did you like best about this story?

Escapist and extremely vivid storytelling.

Which character – as performed by Gareth Armstrong – was your favourite?

The Dad I think.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A not so technicolour dream

Any additional comments?

Yes. Jasper Fforde should be knighted, sanctified and asked to run the country. Check out the Big Overeasy and Fourth Bear on Amazon. And Audible, can we have these two as audiobooks??

Genius from Jasper, as usual

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This is no 1984; but this dystopian ‘nightmare’ comedy is both funny, engaging and still manages to teach us a few home truths about the hypocrisy & corruption of big brother, and the noble art of disobedience. Hats off to the narrator for conjuring up so many distinct accents for all the characters too! Sequel..,,,,has taken an age, so don’t expect a Harry Potter-esque series.

The Great Leap Back that might just be a Great Leap Forward.

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