I have just finished reading the most extraordinary book, and I think it’s going to take me quite a while to process it. It’s like nothing I have ever read before, and don’t quite no how to describe or even discuss it without giving anything away. The cover may give some clue – the title is ‘The Constant Rabbit’ and the illustration is a three-quarter length drawing of a standing rabbit wearing a dark jacket, collar and tie and an enigmatic expression. It is fantastically well-written, I am in awe of Jasper FForde who wrote it. It is engaging, intriguing, interesting, funny, thought-provoking, intelligent, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop thinking about it and the issues it raises for quite a while. It’s described as ‘a science fantasy allegorical novel’ and I guess there are elements of sci-fi, and it is certainly allegorical, but it is above all a cracking read.
Like me, Jasper was born in London on January, on the 11th, whereas I’m the 12th – however, there are quite a few years difference between us! He worked in films before being published and I was interested to read that as the narrative is very visual, effortlessly visual, now I reflect on it. It’s the first book of Jasper’s that I have read and I look forward to reading more – but not just yet, I need to digest ‘The Constant Rabbit’, (digest the constant rabbit, a feeble joke, but in line with the book). It’s not a difficult read, but it is engrossing and I need to think about it for a while, and then possibly reread it, or at least parts of it. It’s so clever on so many levels I’m sure I’ve missed quite a lot – in fact, it was only as I wrote the above paragraph that I realised I had missed something blatantly obvious!
Lois Elsden 
Hi Lois
After seeing your impressions of the Constant Rabbit, I just had to get it from Kindle. I have read most of Jasper’s books ov er the years and really enjoyed them. I love the way that he creates crazy worlds that somehow also seem to make sense using their own specific logic. I am about half way though the Ribbit book and don’t want it to end!
I am delighted that you too enjoy entering his world.
You would deffo enjoy his other books – especially I think the Thursday Next books about a literary plot agent who spends her time sorting out the false plots implanted in books by naughty people in Libraries. She also has a pet dinosaur!
There are so many cleverly crafted references to literary plots such as Jayne Ayr etc – but I won’t tell you any more or it may spoil it. I love the layers of plotting and writing on different levels.
I envy you that you still have these treasures to plunder. Perhaps I’ll read them all again…
Hope the tide is going out on your shingle beach and are starting to feel better.
Best wishes
Richard
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Thank you Richard, yes, the tide is definitely drawing away and I’m feeling quite a bit more like my old self (is that good or bad??)
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ooooh sounds interesting, I’ll follow him up, thanks
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As humorous as it is – the underlying message is chilling, and true! I will say no more, don’t want to spoil a splendid book!
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