Salutations tea lovers,
I will start with a disclaimer. I absolutely detest the apparent “story” that is 50 Shades of Grey. This review is NOT about that abhorrent series that should never have been written. Nope! Never! This is about a much more interesting novel than that!
This is about the lovely book that is: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde.
What caught my eye with this book initially was the front cover. During my attempt to find some books for customers at my library, I noticed the strange front cover which really attracted my attention. The other point is the version I have been reading is also a hardback. I usually don’t read hardbacks as I don’t like to bend them too much, or damage the spine, because hurting books is a crime in my eyes. But this front cover was actually very interesting: I like the way the light reflects the silver lines that outline the different sections of the front cover picture. And on top of that, it reflects Colourtocracy, a central plotline and feature of the story, as inspiration by using a paint by numbers effect, with a small table on the back in case you really wanted to colour the book in. The partial colours represented on the book only serve to give an insight on to what it would be like to see the world in so little colour as the natural way of life. As for the content of the book, the main point of interest I found within this story is Colourtocracy.
Colourtocracy has replaced democracy in this highly individual futuristic vision. Colour is the currency, it is what rules Britain. Your social class and the hierarchy of Britain is based upon your perception of colour and what shade you are seeing. I find this to be a most brilliant concept. I’m not sure how it would work in our own society, but it really seems to me to be a most creative idea. Colour is something that people take for granted in being able to see: I couldn’t imagine living in a world where I could not perceive the difference, especially as I was a Fine Art and Art History student and really enjoy being able to critique and analyse pieces of work. Colours are used in other methods as well as perception, such as medicines to heal people, and also as recreational drugs. This makes me laugh as people really haven’t changed in the hundreds of years between our generation, or “The Previous” as we are known, and the generation in the book. There are still those that are a stickler for the rules, as is our protagonist at first, and those that refuse to follow. A further dimension of colour which is used is by the names of the characters: Eddie Russett, Mr Turquoise, Lucy Ochre, etc.
Of course I don’t like to give too much of the plot away, what is the point in spoiling the read for others? However, a few details about the book I shall include. The story is written in the first person, is somewhat over 400 pages. The protagonist is Eddie Russett, a young and unambitious Red that travels to the outskirts of the country with his father to count chairs, whilst his father temporarily fills the swatchmen position for the town of East Carmine. They soon discover not everything is as it seems and Eddie, who has only ever lived by the rules, finds himself in a position to question the world around him as he meets more people and discovers the truth.
The book is not only clever, it is funny! And I love a laugh. I noticed this made me look strange when I was reading it in the gym. (Although if I am honest, watching a woman cycling and power walking on a treadmill whilst reading a hardback is also an amusing sight. Haha!) The story itself is not only funny, including funny quips about the difference in society and the strange rules that have been led out by the Rule of Munsell, establisher of the new Chromatacia society, but every chapter opens up with a random anecdote about the society in which they live in which does not relate to the main plotline. One of my favourites happens to be this:
9.3.88.32.025: 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 every month a chicken is officially a vegetable.
I love a good witty piece of work. And also any jab at vegetarians. Your choice and all, but bacon is just so tasty!
Speaking of tasty things, I can probably have a guess at what any person reading this might be thinking when I say which tea I was drinking to accompany this book. And you are right. I was drinking Earl Grey. Of course, when people read the title, it is such a simple connection but a worthy one. Earl Grey is a flavour to be played with: can be taken by itself, with or without milk, with lemon, adding sugar to make it sweeter etc. It really is a tasty beverage. This book is also flavourful as well as strange and interesting. If I want to really manipulate the language of this book to my advantage, I would describe Earl Grey as colourful. I believe they go well together, especially when drunk from a beautifully patterned cup and saucer.
I do really recommend reading this book. It is very interesting. I do hope a second one could be written, I would like to understand more about this new age.
In fact, I will finish this review with a quote from the book, one that really explains the important role of tea (and my earlier bacon reference).
“Okay, this is the wisdom. First, time spent on reconnaissanse is never wasted. Second, almost anything can be improved with the addition of bacon. And finally, there is no problem on Earth that can’t be ameliorated by a hot bath and a cup of tea.” ― Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey
Goodnight and put the kettle on.
Tea-To-Books 