Jasper Fforde Ffan

[Gannon]

I am up to chapter 30, only a couple to go.

Some of the names I have found.

Agents Phodder and Kannon - Cannon Fodder
Mr Green, Mr Berry, Mr Hill - Greenberry Hill
Mr Chalk and Mr Cheese - Chalk and Cheese
Agents Walken and Dedmen - Dead Men Walking
Akrid Snell - Akrid Smell
Aubrey Jambe - Strawberry Jam
Frankie Saveloy - Sausages ?
Harold Flex - Her Old Ex
Agents Slaughter and Lambs - Lambs to the Slaughter

As well as all the goodbye names in the second coincedence attack. Major Fairwelle, Sue Long, Sarah Nara, Alf Widdershaine, Bonnie Voige.

These are all the easy ones. Don't know how many I have miseed. Perhaps you could enlighten me Maud or Fran.

[Maud Fitch]

Nice bit of name recognition! You took more care than I did over their meanings, Gannon. Commander Braxton Hicks is a nod towards pre-labour pains women have prior to birth. A Bowden Cable is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force. One which puzzled me for ages is Yorrick Kaine. Of course, there's the Shakespeare connotations but Kaine? After investigation, I belive the name is totally made up for the sheer hell of it.

Also, does Millon de Floss appear in this book? It harks back to "The Mill On The Floss" a novel by George Eliot who was really Mary Ann Evans and was first published in 1860. Sort of a 'fictional autobiography' - typical fodder for a Jasper twist.

The Neanderthals are interesting new characters in this book. Would we embrace Neanderthal clones in society today? There was debate as to whether it would be ethical to reintroduce extinct species like the Dodo (gotta love the Dodos) and the Neanderthal into our present world.

Hope your nephew-minding is going well, e.g. little afternoon naps, and you are emerging out the other side after being "Lost In A Good Book".

[Gannon]

Nice bit of name recognition! You took more care than I did over their meanings, Gannon. Commander Braxton Hicks is a nod towards pre-labour pains women have prior to birth. A Bowden Cable is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force. One which puzzled me for ages is Yorrick Kaine. Of course, there's the Shakespeare connotations but Kaine? After investigation, I belive the name is totally made up for the sheer hell of it.

Also, does Millon de Floss appear in this book? It harks back to "The Mill On The Floss" a novel by George Eliot who was really Mary Ann Evans and was first published in 1860. Sort of a 'fictional autobiography' - typical fodder for a Jasper twist.

The Neanderthals are interesting new characters in this book. Would we embrace Neanderthal clones in society today? There was debate as to whether it would be ethical to reintroduce extinct species like the Dodo (gotta love the Dodos) and the Neanderthal into our present world.

Hope your nephew-minding is going well, e.g. little afternoon naps, and you are emerging out the other side after being "Lost In A Good Book".

Howdy there Maud. I just finished "Lost" about five minutes ago. It is so weird because I was going to ask you about those names and you have explained them so well. I sort of knew about the bowden cable but the others they were going to be the first question I asked you about. Freaky.

Really good question about the Neanderthals. Imho I really don't think it would work. There would be so many human rights groups up in arms over it. As for bringing back extinct species, another great question. I think if it is a species that we as a species have destroyed, then maybe if we can bring them back with no problems (their environment,their diet,their habitat,etc) maybe we should. However if it is a species that became extinct through natural causes and we had nothing to do with it,they probably became extinct for a reason. If we bring them back and mess with the eco-system then we could cause major problems, even cause another species to become extinct instead.

I have other questions to ask you about "Lost" but I will hold off until Fran finishes. Don't want to spoil anything for her.
I must say that it is so refreshing to read something so funny, but mainly so original. I did like "The Eyre Affair" only slightly better, very slightly. I think as the books go on the little wordplay tricks are gong to get tougher and tougher, am I right?
It is also funny that right at the end of the book there is a reference to the painting "The Fighting Temeraire". I have a book with the same name written by Sam Willis. The painting is the front cover, brilliant painting.

The Fighting Temeraire
Built of a thousand trees,
Lunging out her lightenings,
And beetling o'er the seas

HERMAN MELVILLE The Temeraire, 1866

[Maud Fitch]

Finished in record time! I'm so happy that you've picked-it-up-and-ran-with-it, Gannon. So much to discuss but I'm racing against time today so will only say - eerie coincidences again! <plock, plock>

[Fran]

Just finished so this is a 'hot off the press' raction.
I agree with Gannon (surprise, surprise) in that I loved the book but if I was before a firing squad I would have to say I thought The Eyre Affair marginally (very marginally) better. But possibly that's just because Eyre was my first encounter with Jasper.

Yorrick Kaine ... Got the Hamlet ref but I thought the Kaine might be a nod to Citizen Kane?? Bowden cable was completly beyond me ... way too technical!

Jasper has a most extraordinary imagination .... the Neanderthals I thought were a brilliant creation (recreation?) and I was so delighted for Pickwick when the egg appeared and Miss Havisham driving ... just loved her.

Wouldn't you just love to sit down with a cup of coffee & watch an episode of 'Name that Fruit' ... reivetting viewing I imagine?

I have to leave it for now but undoubtly as I cogitate I'll come up with more to say .... by sheer coincidence my boss insists I do some work (the ungrateful wretch)

[Gannon]

Ok here is my first question to both of you. Chapter 4a right at the end, the passage
"We bade each other goodbye and I trotted out of the building, bumping into John Smith, who was manoeuvring a wheelbarrow with a carrot the size of a vavuum cleaner in it. There was a big label attached to the oversized vegetable that read "evidence".
Have I missed something here. Also another missing chapter. Chapter 5 Vanishing hitch-hikers.
Another name I missed Diana Thuntress. Greek mytholoy, Diana god of the hunt.
One more question, I won't ask too many at once. Is there a reason the tasmanian tiger is named " DH-82".
I also love the reference to the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville.
Also Fran I loved Miss Havishham's driving, it was one of the highlights of the book for me. Hilarious.

[Maud Fitch]

Totally agree that the edge if taken off the second book by the scene-setting first one. But they do build and they do branch out and they do grow.

First, thank you Gannon, for your well-considered response to the Neanderthal and Dodo resurrections. I go with your comments and think that extinction was for a reason and best not to tamper with evolution too much, eh. With reference to the painting "The Fighting Temeraire" it’s great the way Jasper weaves art, literature, history, etc, into his stories.

Secondly, to Fran, when you finish work I’ll brew the coffee (and make the toast!) and we can all settle down to a good night’s viewing, watching repeat episodes of 'Name That Fruit'. <yawn> Such a dig at boring reality TV. Yep, gotta love Miss Havisham's Toad Of Toad Hall driving skills!

Well, I knew it – you are way ahead of me in the profundity stakes, Gannon! Will have a go at answering your questions:

Jasper is aviation-mad so it may be an aeroplane reference. An urban legend says eating carrots will allow one to see in the dark. The legend developed from stories of British gunners in World War II, who were able to shoot down German planes in the darkness of night. Or it may refer to artist John Smith who painted a bunch of carrots! In a future TN book they grow large exploding vegetables and he’s known for planting ideas early on or.....I haven’t a clue.....

Re the Tasmanian Tiger DH-82; The De Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth biplane was built from 1931 to 1946, and it is reckoned that more people have learned to fly in a Tiger Moth than any other type of plane. I bet you can't guess who flies one?

About Chapter 4a, Jasper does believe in coincidences (as do we!) and déja vu but the overall significance is a mystery to me. More names, Friedland Chymes are real door bells and Aubrey Jambe can be spread on your toast.

Now, I have a question about Chapter 33 (by the way the Nolan Sister are real) the ending and whole Dream Topping thing, e.g. “All life on earth descended from the organic compounds and proteins contained within Dream Topping...” and I must say I didn’t quite get into it. Any easy way to explain it to me?

[Gannon]

I was going to ask you about the Dream Topping. Her Father said that Chlorophyll 'is the key'. then he talks about photosynthesis. If you look up Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll plays a big part in the process. So imho her father went back to where there was no life at all for the nanamachines to feed on and the photosynthesis process would eventually start new life and evolution would do its thing. This is the best I could come up with. I suppose that means we all evolved from Dream Topping. haha.
I wanted to ask you about the courtroom passage. It is so bizarre. Then again anything to do with Franz Kafka is bizarre. I have only got"Metamorphosis- and other stories" in my collection. I really think you would need to have read the relevant Kafka novel to understand this part of the book. Have you read it?
I love the idea of the Grammasites. I don't know which version of the book you have but mine has an illustration of a Grammasite at the front of the book.
I got the Anne Hathaway reference. She was Shakespeare's wife. I think she outlived him.
Lady Emma Hamilton was Lord Nelson's mistress. I don't think they got married before he was killed at Trafalgar.
Do you reckon that Mycroft is a little play on words for Microsoft or am I clutching at straws with that one.
Thankyou so much for your explanations. Especially the tasmanian tiger one. It was on the edge of my memory but I could just not get it. My Father loved his World War 1 planes, he had many books on the subject and we used to discuss them. I have a few more questions but I think that is enough for now. I am going to order the next book. These books are so good they really make you think, I have a little notebook while I am reading them and am constantly looking for odd little bits in the book.

Have a lovely weekend Maud.

[Fran]

I still haven't recovered from learning I'm descended from Dream Topping of all things (yuk, yuk) ... severly traumatised. Did Dream Topping make it to Australia?
But I would agree with Gannon if my memory of school Biology is right then all life is dependant on Chlorophyll in that as I remember it plants take in Carbon Dioxide & release Oxygen in a process called photosynthesis. Came as a bit of a surprise to discover there was Chlorophyll in Dream Topping but it wouldn't surprise me.
I so enjoyed the TV interview & the Toast Marketing Board .. marvelous send up of product placement (current hot topic here) and the entire 'no holes barred' interview was side splitting.
Kafka is definetly an 'acquired taste' IMHO but the court chaper did remind me of a recent read 'Alone in Berlin' which as a number of Gestapo interviews with the main character which border on the surreal. (Great read it you're interested in WW11 Germany).
@ Maud ... I was at a loss on the giant carrot but I think you cracked it. Carrots are high in Vitamin A which is essential for good eyesight so that would explain the Evidence reference.
@ Gannon ... there is a more contemporary Anne Hathaway, beautiful actress in The Devil Wears Prada ... maybe not your kind of movie!

The Nolan Sisters I am well familiar with. I'm going to have to follow your lead Gannon & take notes while I'm reading. This is getting more like work

These books really do get into your mind ... I was in bed last night mulling over the concepts in this book & it got me wondering if when you are so engrossed in a book that you are oblivious to everything else could it be that you have actually travelled into the book? Would this explain why movie versions of books hardly ever match my concept of the charcters or locations ... could it be that I've been there and the movie director hasn't

What's the title of the next book in the Thursday series?

Hope you are both enjoying your weekend

[Gannon]

Howdy there Fran. I have never heard of Dream Topping, maybe it has not made it here in Oz.
I am very interested in WWII, and I will keep an eye out for "Alone in Berlin" sounds very interesting.
I love the contemporary Anne Hathaway, and I loved "The Devil Wears Prada". I think Anne Hathaway is a supurb actress and have enjoyed a number of her movies. I have never read "The Devil Wears Prada" but would like to. Have you read it?
I started taking notes, because I have a terrible short term memory, and I knew that there were going to be many passages that I would want to discuss with you guys.
Interesting theory about travelling into the book. Maybe its like Astral travelling. Your body stays in place but your spirit travels into the book. This would explain how you cannot influence anything in the book, because it is only your spirit.
The next book in the series is "The Well of Lost Plots". I am already looking forward to it.
I am loving "We Were the Mulvaneys", thanks for the recommendation. I will finish it over the weekend and let you know my final thoughts. I know that Oates is an author I want to read more of. Love her style.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend too Fran.

[Fran]

Howdy there Fran. I have never heard of Dream Topping, maybe it has not made it here in Oz.
I am very interested in WWII, and I will keep an eye out for "Alone in Berlin" sounds very interesting.
I love the contemporary Anne Hathaway, and I loved "The Devil Wears Prada". I think Anne Hathaway is a supurb actress and have enjoyed a number of her movies. I have never read "The Devil Wears Prada" but would like to. Have you read it?
I started taking notes, because I have a terrible short term memory, and I knew that there were going to be many passages that I would want to discuss with you guys.
Interesting theory about travelling into the book. Maybe its like Astral travelling. Your body stays in place but your spirit travels into the book. This would explain how you cannot influence anything in the book, because it is only your spirit.
The next book in the series is "The Well of Lost Plots". I am already looking forward to it.
I am loving "We Were the Mulvaneys", thanks for the recommendation. I will finish it over the weekend and let you know my final thoughts. I know that Oates is an author I want to read more of. Love her style.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend too Fran.

Don't feel in any way deprived not having the Dream Topping ... it was a convenience desert topping, sort of artificial cream & the main attraction it was ready whipped (disgusting IMHO). Don't know if they still make it I haven't seen or heard of it for years.

I didn't read "The Devil Wears Prada" even though my niece has the book but I did see the movie which I loved but then both Anne Hathaway & Meryl Streep what more could you want?

If you're on a Joyce Carol kick don't omit 'The Female of the Species' ... short stories.

I will be following up "The Well of Lost Plots" for next week.

[Gannon]

Wow, you really don't like Dream Topping, must admit the way that you describe it, it does not sound very appetizing. Maybe instead of Dream Topping it should be called Nightmare Topping.
Meryl Streep, is imho the best actress of our generation. The range of characters she can play is amazing. I think that you are born with that kind of talent.
I have just added "The Female of the Species" to my TBR list. As you know I love short stories so I will be giving it high priority.

[Fran]

Totally with you on Meryl Streep ... did you see her in 'Doubt'?

[Gannon]

Totally with you on Meryl Streep ... did you see her in 'Doubt'?

I sure did. BRILLIANT

[Maud Fitch]

I was going to ask you about the Dream Topping. Her Father said that Chlorophyll 'is the key'. then he talks about photosynthesis. If you look up Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll plays a big part in the process.

I wanted to ask you about the courtroom passage. It is so bizarre. Then again anything to do with Franz Kafka is bizarre. I love the idea of the Grammasites. I don't know which version of the book you have but mine has an illustration of a Grammasite at the front of the book.

Do you reckon that Mycroft is a little play on words for Microsoft or am I clutching at straws with that one?

Interesting theory about travelling into the book. Maybe its like Astral travelling. Your body stays in place but your spirit travels into the book. This would explain how you cannot influence anything in the book, because it is only your spirit.

These books really do get into your mind ... I was in bed last night mulling over the concepts in this book & it got me wondering if when you are so engrossed in a book that you are oblivious to everything else could it be that you have actually travelled into the book? Would this explain why movie versions of books hardly ever match my concept of the characters or locations ... could it be that I've been there and the movie director hasn't?

I didn't read "The Devil Wears Prada" even though my niece has the book but I did see the movie which I loved but then both Anne Hathaway & Meryl Streep what more could you want?

THANK YOU, Gannon and Fran, for that wonderful explanation about Dream Topping. Much appreciated. You gave me the reasoning behind JF's usage of Dream Topping (the least said about that dessert the better!) and a biology lesson on Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll. Couldn’t ask for better than that.

Yes, the Franz Kafka bit was good but confusing for me not having a fondness for his works. Sometimes I just let the plot wash over me in the hope I’ll pick it up later on. Yes, Gannon, Grammasites are groovy and, no, I do not have that illustration in my copy. Probably because it is a lowly paperback. However, most TN books have B&W illustrations of a dubious nature at the back. On the subject of Uncle Mycroft, I share your suspicions re Microsoft. Maybe for copyright reasons this has never been revealed?

Both of you blew me away with your ‘reading into books’ ideas. Those scenarios (theories) are feasible, e.g. perhaps we subconsciously channel a book into our reality as we read it. Than again it has to be a good book to really get into it in the first place so I guess we are dependant on the author. Oh, heck, I’m getting twisted again ... Thursday's father says "Scientific thought, indeed, any mode of thought whether it be religious or philosophical or anything else, is just like the fashions that we wear—only much longer-lived. It's a little like a boy band."

I’m with you regarding Meryl Streep and although I loved Anne Hathaway’s performance in “The Devil Wears Prada” I thought the movie itself was unimaginative and predictable. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen!

“The Well Of Lost Plots” is one of my favourite books in the Thursday Next series. Surprisingly I actually read it out of sequence (jumped to “Something Rotten”) and found out later that it ties both the past and the future books together. Even the spin-off Nursery Crimes series is tenuously linked.

But, just to keep you on your toes, the sixth book turns it all on its head!