Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Shades of Grey A Novel
Shades of Grey A Novel | Jasper Fforde
An astonishing, hotly anticipated new novel from the great literary fantasist and creator of Thursday Next, Jasper Fforde. As long as anyone can remember, society has been ruled by a Colortocracy. From the underground feedpipes that keep the municipal park green to the healing hues viewed to cure illness to a social hierarchy based upon one's limited color perception, society is dominated by color. In this world, you are what you can see. Young Eddie Russett has no ambition to be anything other than a loyal drone of the Collective. With his better-than-average red perception, he could well marry Constance Oxblood and inherit the string works; he may even have enough red perception to make prefect. For Eddie, life looks colorful. Life looks good. But everything changes when he moves with his father, a respected swatchman, to East Carmine. There, he falls in love with a Grey named Jane who opens his eyes to the painful truth behind his seemingly perfect, rigidly controlled society. Curiosity--a dangerous trait to display in a society that demands total conformity--gets the better of Eddie, who beings to wonder: Why are there not enough spoons to go around? Why is everything--and everyone--barcoded? What happened to all the people who never returned from High Saffron? And why, when you begin to question the world around you, do black-and-white certainties reduce themselves to shades of grey? Part satire, part romance, part revolutionary thriller, this is the new world from the creative and comic genius of Jasper Fforde.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
JoyBlue
Shades of Grey | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

Read a third time in preparation for the long-awaited sequel, which I will crack open soon. My lobster bought me a signed edition of this for my birthday. 💙

Deblovestoread I didn‘t know there was a sequel. I will need to reread, too. 💜 (edited) 1mo
JoyBlue @Deblovestoread Yes! Tagged book was published February 6 in UK (I preordered both signed and unsigned hardcovers). I just couldn't wait a minute longer. 😉 [15 years is a very long time to wait for a highly anticipated book!]

It is expected to publish in the US May 7, 2024, apparently.

Apparently, there's even a third book planned. It's got some ratings, but no reviews or expected publication date or details of any sort. . . .
(edited) 1mo
Deblovestoread Thanks for this info! 😀 1mo
40 likes4 comments
blurb
RamsFan1963
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

It was a toss up between this and Lexicon. I enjoyed both books, but in the end, I gave Fforde the nod because I wanted more of the story. The fact he's never done a sequel to this is a crying shame.
#12Booksof2021 #2ndbook2021 #February
@Andrew65

Lreads I love his Thursday Next series! 2y
RaeLovesToRead I have this on my TBR... your cover is so much better though!! 2y
Andrew65 Looks good. 2y
64 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
LeticiaToraci
Shades of Grey | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

I now finally read the #DoubleSpin book of January. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde was a very original book with a lot of humor. Unfortunately there isn't a sequel to this first book in a series. @TheAromaofBooks

13 likes4 comments
review
audraelizabeth
Shades of Grey | Jasper Fforde
Pickpick

Very thought provoking. I saw similarities to our own society of everyone and everything in its box and banning of things deemed unsuitable for society. Borrowed from @RamsFan1963
#booked2021 @Cinfhen #colorintitle @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

RamsFan1963 Glad you enjoyed it. 3y
audraelizabeth @RamsFan1963 I probably wouldnt have picked it up myself but im glad i did. 3y
Cinfhen Well done 👍🏽 3y
21 likes4 comments
review
RamsFan1963
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

What an amazingly weird and wonderful book, its unlike anything I've read before. For it to be dystopian fiction, it has a light, whimsical nature reminding me of Alice in Wonderland or Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy. Two thumbs up 👍👍 5 🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢
#LitsyAtoZ #LetterS @BookishMarginalia
5/10 #bookbuyingdiet (woo hoo!! Half way finished)

Lucy_Anywhere This is one of my all-time fave books! 3y
RamsFan1963 @Lucy_Anywhere Has Fforde ever written a sequel to this book? There's mention of Shades 2 & 3 at the end of the book, but as far as I can tell, neither has been published. I want more stories of Eddie and Jane. 3y
Lucy_Anywhere Not as far as I know 🤷🏻‍♀️ I wish there was! 3y
See All 8 Comments
RamsFan1963 @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I heard!! I can't wait!! Shades of Grey is still so vivid in my mind I don't need to HP back and reread it to prepare for the sequel. After so long a wait, I only hope it's as good as the original. 2mo
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage It feels like it takes Jasper Fforde a long time to write his books, but so far they‘ve always been spectacular. I‘m going to wait a little while before starting Red Side Story, just for the anticipation 😁 2mo
RamsFan1963 @Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Have you read The Constant Rabbit? It's really good, very much in the tone of Shades of Grey 2mo
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Yes! I read that one last year. Have you read Early Riser? 2mo
50 likes2 stack adds8 comments
quote
RamsFan1963
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

It's hard to argue with logic like that 🤣🤣🤣

j9brown Loved this book! One of the weirdest and most unique settings I've ever read 😆 3y
RamsFan1963 @j9brown Its definitely one of the most unique places I've ever read about. I get a definite Douglas Adams Hitchhikers vibe from it. Very whimsical and clever. 3y
52 likes2 comments
quote
RamsFan1963
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

It began with my father not wanting to see the Last Rabbit and ended up with my being eating by a carnivorous plant.

How can you not enjoy a book that starts with a line like that? 🤣🤣🤣

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Lucy_Anywhere I really enjoyed this book! 3y
34 likes1 comment
review
Tineke
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

Another weird book by Jasper Fforde. I would call it an absurd dystopia. I've enjoyed the story. It was a bit slowgoing. I am curious about the next installment, which seems to be years in the making.
My #Doublespin for October.
TBR since May 22nd. 2019, 432 pages. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
20 likes1 comment
blurb
StaceyKondla
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 178 #bookstoread #tbrpile #bookstagram

AvidReader25 Loved this book! 4y
Lucy_Anywhere One of my fave books! 4y
MariaW This lies squezzed between a stack of other books of my TBR tower. 🙈 4y
62 likes3 stack adds3 comments
blurb
RamsFan1963
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description or reason for wanting to read the book. Some are old and some will be new. Don't judge me - I have a lot of books.
Day 39

#tbrmountain #bookbuyingdiet

Lucy_Anywhere I loved this book ❤️ 4y
34 likes1 comment
review
OriginalCyn620
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this imaginative and witty book, though it‘s something I would not have picked up on my own. I have read one other book by Fforde and his world-building is top-notch! #lmpbc

55 likes1 stack add
blurb
RamsFan1963
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Erofan 😍 5y
63 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Samreamer
Shades of Grey A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

Read this one for my #lmpbc group for the month of August. Brilliantly creative and witty, but it somehow was still a tough read for me. It just took me a long time to get through it (@cadyly, sorry for sending it late!). Very worth it though. I loved all the characters, the plot twists, etc. And I will love Jane forever. #teamjane (Picture of the book in my car at the post office because I didn‘t send it off until the last possible moment.)

Samreamer @Cadyly it won‘t tag you for some reason! 5y
Cadyly It arrived today! 🎉 5y
17 likes2 comments
blurb
HufflepuffGirl90
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde

Totally forgot to take a picture, but @Samreamer this lovely is headed your way!! Can‘t wait to see everyone‘s ideas about this quirky novel. #LMPBC #Round6

blurb
mydearwatson
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
blurb
HufflepuffGirl90
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

Getting ready for #round6 of #LMPBC !!!

I‘m gonna use pink for all my writing, if that‘s alright with everyone.
This way we can color-code our markups 😊💜📚📫

OriginalCyn620 Go for it! I love pink! 💕 5y
36 likes1 comment
review
S3V3N
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this satire. Although funny at times, there's a lesson in class and government interference.

18 likes1 stack add
quote
GatheringBooks
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

#QuotsyJune19 Day 14: to have curiosity #blossom into suspicion sounds very ... umm ... suspicious? I own Fforde‘s Tuesday next series but haven‘t gotten around to reading them yet.

blurb
Shaunesay
Shades of Grey A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

Shades of Grey is interesting and odd. Not my favorite of Fforde's but still good.

blurb
AlaMich
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

A perfect morning in the garden, reading Jasper Fforde‘s Shades of Grey (no, not THAT Shades of Grey!!).

It‘s an enjoyable, funny satire despite the prodigious amount of time Fforde spends showing us the world he‘s created. I‘m listening to the #audiobook, which is excellent, as well as reading it on my #kobo.

TobeyTheScavengerMonk I need a sequel to this one pronto. 5y
AlaMich @TobeyTheScavengerMonk I think he plans to, right? But he sure is taking his time about it. 5y
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I agree on the sequels . At least he's writing again 😁 5y
See All 6 Comments
AlaMich @BookHoarder32 Yeah, Early Riser sounds pretty good. 5y
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage It really is! That's the most recent one I've read of his. 5y
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage The satire and the world are more similar to Shades of Grey than his Thursday Next series. 5y
43 likes2 stack adds6 comments
review
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage
Shades of Grey A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

Yay! 🎉 Through a combination of reading and listening, I finished today. ...and am now joining the group of people waiting for the next two.

Luckily I have plenty to read in the meantime. 😂 📚🍹

56 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage
Shades of Grey A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

Started listening to this from Overdrive/Libby last night because Libby didn't have the 3rd Thursday Next novel.

It's different, but I like it. The narrator has an awesome accent.

review
j9brown
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

Incredibly imaginative! This was one of the most unique things I've read in ages. So clever and silly, yet there's an increasing sense of dread as Eddie uncovers the answers to the mysteries of the Colortocracy.

Beware though, this is the start of a series, and it was published 10 years ago. Whyyyy 😩

mutlee I read this soon after it came out and really enjoyed it. I periodically check for updates on the sequel...to no avail. I feel cursed by falling for incomplete series! 5y
j9brown @mutlee I'm still very glad I read it, but what a bummer! I know that the author is still putting out other books, so fingers crossed he'll come back to it someday... 5y
grumpygirlbooks I‘m so glad you liked it! I do the same thing, I check every so often to see if there‘s any update on a forthcoming book.... 5y
j9brown @grumpygirlbooks It was a satisfying enough wrap-up on its own, and so much fun 😊 Now I'll be keeping an eye out for updates too, lol 5y
44 likes4 stack adds4 comments
quote
j9brown
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

This book is cracking me up. Another line later on made me giggle out loud on the train ?

"The cucumber and the tomato are both fruit; the avocado is a nut. To assist with the dietary requirements of vegetarians, on the first Tuesday of the month a chicken is officially a vegetable."

review
JoyBlue
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

I'm behind on Litsy because I was sick last week and then away for birthday weekend. Today's my birthday, and I get to do whatever I want. Book logging it is (and other good stuff). 😉📚

Nearly seven years since my first reading, it again earns 4 stars!

BennettBookworm Soooo good, but I want the sequel already!! 5y
LeeRHarry Happy birthday 🎉🎉 5y
Mollyanna Happy Birthday 🎂🎈🎂 5y
See All 19 Comments
sherryvdh Happy birthday! 5y
TheSpineView Happy Birthday!🎂🎁 5y
Elma Happy Birthday!! 5y
DrexEdit Happy birthday! 🎂🎉🎉 I don't like pestering authors for sequels, but this is one is really like to see! 5y
tracey38 Happy birthday! Yes, today is for doing whatever you want. 🎂🎉🎂🎉 5y
Jas16 Happy Birthday 🎉🎂🎁🎈 5y
Prairiegirl_reading Happy birthday!!! 5y
QueenJen 🎉🎂Happy Birthday!🎂🎉 5y
sprainedbrain Happy birthday!!🎂 5y
JessClark78 Happy Birthday! 🎊🎂🎉 5y
Reggie Happy Birthday!!🎂 5y
CarolynM Happy birthday to you 🎂🎈🎉 5y
BennettBookworm Happy birthday!!! 5y
JoyBlue @BennettBookworm Thank you! 😀 5y
73 likes19 comments
quote
JoyBlue
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

"Good residency is about having the power to ask someone to do something but not necessarily exercising it. Impoliteness is the mildew of mankind, Eddie."

As Overdrive restricts me to a hold list of a measly 7 books (yes, I *am* going to complain about this ad nauseam), I have resorted to re-reading (and reading things that really shouldn't be on my wish list at all, but that's not going well). Anyway, I originally read this Spring of 2012.

quote
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

"It began with my father not wanting to see the Last Rabbit and ended up with my being eaten by a carnivorous plant."

#firstline

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I wish I could #litsypartyofone but I'm going to a family super bowl party with half the people not there for the football. 5y
43 likes1 comment
review
elypse
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
Pickpick

What an incredibly unique story with a fantastic world building concept. Both literalyl and metaphorically colorful. I really hope Jasper continues this series.

review
abbielistenstobooks
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Mehso-so

Strange. If you like Vonnegut, or just absurd stuff, you'll probably like this. In a sense it reminded me of Night Vale?

32 likes1 stack add
blurb
abbielistenstobooks
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

75% done. What an absurd book! I can't tell if I like it. But it's making me think. It's a strange world he's built.

18 likes4 comments
blurb
abbielistenstobooks
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

Something about this writing style/flavor/voice reminds me of my memory of Vonnegut, though it's been decades since I've read him

tpixie I‘ll have to check out Vonnegut. I love Fforde and Thursday Next! 5y
abbielistenstobooks @tpixie it's the imaginative absurdity, I think! 5y
tpixie @abbielistenstobooks yes! Perfect name for it! 5y
20 likes3 stack adds3 comments
blurb
abbielistenstobooks
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

I'm glad I read a YA after putting my reading of Song of Achilles on hold. It was a good palette cleanser, so that I could better enjoy the silliness that this book appears to have. And I *AM* enjoying it!

10 likes1 stack add
review
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
Pickpick

I was unsure whether to opt for 🤘PICK or 👈SO SO but that might be due to high expectations coming from the Thursday Next series. It is of course a great concept but knowing what Fforde is capable of I wish this one would have been either a bit more sinister OR a bit funnier. Instead it‘s neither fish nor fowl and a bit slow getting started. After only stepping up pace in the last 100-150 pages or so I‘m eager to read the sequel... if only...

56 likes1 stack add
blurb
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

The only thing against those nasty cramps: a bath and a book! #bathandbook

blurb
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

It‘s always sunday at momas house! #booksanddesserts (apple&pumpkn cobbler, devon custard, salted caramel ice cream and a smoothie bowl for some pretense)

Suet624 💕💕 5y
69 likes1 comment
quote
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

I love myself a good #bookpun and Jasper Fford is the premier master of his craft! „Murdoch on the Orientated Ex-Best“, „The Science of the Slams“ , „Sheer Luck Holmes“...🙊🙉🙈

LoveToReadLiveToRead Ah, I really like Jasper Fforde and remembered enjoying this one. There never seems to be any news about a sequel though. 5y
julesG Is this a Thursday Next book? 5y
Heideschrampf @julesG no, it‘s a standalone and it‘s even weirder! 5y
Itchyfeetreader Oh I have not read this but loved the Thursday Next novels (edited) 5y
Sarah83 Still sitting on my shelf 😂 5y
53 likes5 comments
blurb
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

#teatime with the family, using the national holiday (german union!) to put up our feet at the firplace! #hygge

Cathythoughts Oh yum 😋 5y
Kalalalatja 😍😍😍 5y
64 likes2 comments
blurb
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image
tpixie Yum!! I‘m relistening & alternatelying re-reading 5y
Heideschrampf @tpixie oh thursday! 😍 5y
Sarah83 So cosy 💖 5y
tpixie @Heideschrampf yes!! Fforde has the best literary brain!! 5y
67 likes4 comments
blurb
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

Passing the time backstage while the band plays on the other side of the curtain #hardatwork #readingatwork

Decalino I loved this book! So original and creative. I wish there had been a sequel. 5y
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
TheBookKeeper
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

"After all, colour in itself has no colour - it's simply a construction of the mind: a sensation, like the Humming Chorus from Madam Butterfly and the smell of honeysuckle."

Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey
Glass sculpture by Glass Baron

#reading #TheBookKeeper #jasperfforde #shadesofgrey

Slajaunie That is a beautiful frog. Do you own that or is it a picture? 6y
TheBookKeeper @Slajaunie thank you - it's a picture of one of many glass sculptures by Glass Baron - unfortunately I don't own one! 6y
BookwormM Love the frog 6y
See All 6 Comments
tpixie Great quote ! 5y
TheBookKeeper @BookwormM I do too, I love glass 5y
TheBookKeeper @tpixie thank you, I like it too 😊 5y
87 likes6 comments
blurb
Heideschrampf
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

#humpdaypost tagged by @Ddzmini
1.last weekend i went to the horse races for the first time since i was six -and had a blast taking my fave fascinator for a spin (won 7€, bet 11€; fair enough)
2. probably HALDERN POP FESTIVAL in august #haldernpop fave bands: astronautalis and fink
3. the occasional cigarette and junk food
4.THE FALL (which you could say is the realistic version of 50 shades of grey)
5. the hilariously punny jasper fforde

Mdargusch Fun! I love the fascinator! 6y
Cathythoughts Nice fascinator ! Who is your milliner ?!! I love hats ❤️ 6y
Heideschrampf @Cathythoughts i got this one in old town york somewhere. Could‘ve bought the whole shop! 6y
Ddzmini Cute picture 😋 6y
67 likes4 comments
blurb
BookBabe
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

Dining al fresco and listening to an audiobook with @MrBook here at the historic Dimmick Inn in Milford PA on this lovely, cool, breezy evening. There‘s a promise of fall in the air. 🍂 They recently put in a big fancy wood-burning pizza oven, so we decided to try their margherita pizza. Yum! 👌🏻 Happy reads and happy eats!

#PoconoMountains

Djspens That pizza looks delicious! 6y
Copwithabook Yum! That‘s one of my favorite pizzas! 6y
rather_be_reading i love historic places! 6y
140 likes3 comments
blurb
MrBook
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

After around 7 hours, #Brodina was done. 😂👏🏻 She didn't even want to do the periodic stretching and walking anymore--just get me to wherever we're going!!! 🙈 #dogsofLitsy

Zelma This photo story of her ride home is cracking me up. 😂 6y
squirrelbrain Bless her! She just wants to be home now.... ❤️🐶❤️🐶 6y
rather_be_reading 😂😂 6y
See All 9 Comments
LibrarianRyan That babyyyyy. And here I thought you were just a cat person!! 6y
peaKnit She looks straight out of Dr. Suess with those wispy ears! 😊 6y
myellenbee I love the progressive pictures. Captures the feeling of a long trip perfectly. 6y
Readingismyescape I agree with @myellenbee the progression of pictures is spot on. And she is adorable. 6y
Itchyfeetreader This trip in pictures is me on every road trip ever! 6y
mabell Loved the progression! ❤️🐶😂 6y
118 likes9 comments
blurb
MrBook
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

This was #Brodina halfway through the drive home. 😆 #dogsofLitsy

blurb
MrBook
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

This was #Brodina ~3 hours into the drive. 😁 #dogsofLitsy

MicrobeMom That face! Those ears! Simply adorable! 6y
Readerann 🐶❤️ 6y
amb What a fox! 🦊🦊 6y
Bookzombie So cute! 6y
92 likes4 comments
blurb
MrBook
Shades of Grey: A Novel | Jasper Fforde
post image

This was #Brodina as we started our journey home from North Carolina. She loooovvves rides! #dogsofLitsy