Week 2: Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde (400 Pages)

When approaching the reading of Shades of Grey it is best to suspend all your disbelief. Jasper Fforde creates a world where color rules all and determines social status.

Eddie Russet is the main character and he is born in the low level Red house and can only see his color, everything else appears grey unless it is “colorized” (think of the old films that TCM and AMC re-touched). Rules in this world are key and the patrons succeed or fail based upon “feedback” and merits and demerits that they receive from each other and from those in charge. Everyone follows the rules and everything moves as it should. Questions regarding why things are the way they are, are not encouraged, neither is learning anything other than what you are told. Those that ask too many questions are sent to get a “re-boot”.

I enjoyed this book and I love the way that Fforde slips commentary on our own social morays and norms while still moving the story along. This book has a romantic theme, there is a mystery in here also and there are many downright laugh out loud moments as well. This is certainly not a book for everyone but it is absolutely worth it if you are willing to take a trip down an unfamiliar road. This book is the first in a series and I know that I will be eagerly awaiting book two.