Shades of Grey - Jasper Fforde

I've been looking forward to this book for sometime, and had almost decided to purchase it in hardback when it became available in paperback and popped up on Green Metropolis.

Wow - it really was worth waiting for. Fforde has started, hopefully, a new series in a whole new world.

And this, for me, is where his genius lies. In his ability to create future or parallel worlds that are wholly believable, very recognisable, yet slight not 'right'.

Set far in the future, and as commented on in the blurb on the cover, with sting overtones of George Orwell's 1984 (one of my favourite books).

So, it's a love story between two people from different backgrounds, and the role of authority in the everyday lives of citizens. But a world based on colour, and people's ability (or not) to see certain colours.

Little details make this a joy to read. The world of colour hierarchies is based on a rule book, The Book of Munsell - fantastic! People are kept within their colour 'families' by the need not to dilute the colours, or mix up the palette.

I'm not going to give anymore detail about the story, but suffice to say, I LOVED this book and can't wait for the next one.

Bought on Green Metropolis
6th - 9th June 2011