"An absolutely cracking story set in a futuristic UK, served with sides of humour, social and political commentary, and a huge dollop of originality. "
I’m just going to scale a few rooftops to shout about this dystopian novel, it sizzles with a unique blend of wit, eloquence, and readability. Author Jasper Fforde’s bestselling Shades of Grey was published back in 2009 and here with great fanfare, we have the sequel. You really really don’t have to have read Shades of Grey in order to enjoy Red Side Story, but of course I’m going to recommend that you do.
Eddie and Jayne live within a rigid society, likely to be assigned to the Green Room (death) after a disciplinary hearing, they push against the boundaries of their world. Jasper Fforde has created the most believable yet mind-bending future, from ridiculous rules to self-repairing roads, I was one hundred percent on board.
The characters, each and every one of them, are marvellously authentic creations. Whether highlighting twisted obedience, outright cunning, or full on survival mode, they pop from the page with vivid colour. The social commentary allows you to ponder and really consider humanity while remaining enveloped within the story.
The further in I explored, the more the plot sang, and the more I wanted to discover. I’m seriously invested in what might happen next so am hoping for more (and am prepared to wait!). This LoveReading Star Book and Liz Pick of the Month is an absolute cracker so it comes with a massive thumbs up from me.
Red Side Story storms through any pre-conceived ideas with abandon, give yourself up to one heck of a story set in a futuristic UK.
Imagine a world where your position in society depended on what bit of the colour spectrum you could see. This is the world inhabited by Eddie Russett (red, middle-level) and Jane Grey (monochromatic, lowest in society). Eddie and Jane must negotiate the delicate Chromatic politics of society to find out what the 'Something that Happened' actually was, how society got to be this way, and crucially, is there Somewhere Else beyond their borders - and if there is, could there be Someone Else, too, someone whose unseen hand has been guiding the fortunes and misfortunes of the nation for the past 500 years?
| Primary Genre | Dystopian and utopian fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Imagine a world where your position in society depended on what bit of the colour spectrum you could see. This is the world inhabited by Eddie Russett (red, middle-level) and Jane Grey (monochromatic, lowest in society).
Red Side Story features in the following genres: Dystopian and utopian fiction, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Fantasy, Humorous Fiction, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Humour, Comic (humorous) fantasy, Narrative theme: Social issues, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Politics, Speculative fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure, Fiction: narrative themes
Paperback, Hardback. £9.89, down from the £10.99 cover price. In Stock.
Red Side Story was written by Jasper Fforde and published by Hodder an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton
Red Side Story has 376 pages
£9.89, reduced from £10.99. In Stock.
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