The Well of Lost Plots is a humorous sci-fi novel by Jasper Fforde. This is the third book in his Thursday Next series, following on from The Eyre Affair and Lost in a Good Book. It was first published in 2003 by Hodder & Stoughton. This review is intended to be free of spoilers, but because it is a sequel, there may be implied spoilers for previous entries in the series. Consider yourself warned! No review copy was provided; I bought and read this book when it first came out and have recently re-read it with a view to re-reading the whole series. There are affiliate links at the end of this review.
Blurb:
Leaving Swindon behind her to hide out in the Well of Lost Plots (the place where all fiction is created), Thursday Next, Literary Detective and soon-to-be one parent family, ponders her next move from within an unpublished book of dubious merit entitled ‘Caversham Heights’. Landen, her husband, is still eradicated, Aornis Hades is meddling with Thursday’s memory, and Miss Havisham – when not sewing up plot-holes in ‘Mill on the Floss’ – is trying to break the land-speed record on the A409.
But something is rotten in the state of Jurisfiction. Perkins is ‘accidentally’ eaten by the minotaur, and Snell succumbs to the Mispeling Vyrus. As a shadow looms over popular fiction, Thursday must keep her wits about her and discover not only what is going on, but also who she can trust to tell about it … With grammasites, holesmiths, trainee characters, pagerunners, baby dodos and an adopted home scheduled for demolition, ‘The Well of Lost Plots’ is at once an addictively exciting adventure and an insight into how books are made, who makes them – and why there is no singular for ‘scampi’.
With grammasites, holesmiths, trainee characters, pagerunners, baby dodos and an adopted home scheduled for demolition, ‘The Well of Lost Plots’ is at once an addictively exciting adventure and an insight into how books are made, who makes them – and why there is no singular for ‘scampi’.
Review:
After enjoying rereading the first two books in the Thursday Next series, I’ve arrived at the third volume; The Well of Lost Plots. This continues to deliver on Fforde’s unique brand of inventive, literary-themed wit, and carries on the story of literary detective, Thursday Next.
In this novel, Thursday Next takes refuge in an unpublished book within the titular Well of Lost Plots; a hidden realm where books are crafted, characters created, and stories shaped. This sanctuary comes at a cost as her memories are being slowly erased. Amidst the fantastical landscape of the Well, Thursday uncovers a conspiracy that could unravel the very fabric of fiction. The stakes are high as she navigates a world filled with quirky characters and literary oddities, all whilst battling the dark forces that threaten the narrative stability of the world of fiction.
Fforde’s characters remain vibrant and memorable. Thursday’s resilience and resourcefulness continue to shine through, making her a compelling protagonist. We also meet new characters, such as DCI Jack Spratt and the enigmatic Text Grand Central’s Bellman. Returning favourites, like the ever-majestic Miss Havisham, add layers charm to the narrative. Havisham is one of my favourite characters in the series, and I like how Fforde has taken this classic literary character and made her his own. Each character contributes to the story’s richness, embodying unique traits that play pivotal roles in Thursday’s journey.
I’ve said before that my favourite thing about this series is the world that Fforde builds. The Well of Lost Plots delves deeper into this meta-narrative world. Themes of storytelling, the power of imagination, and the importance of narrative in shaping our reality are explored with finesse. Fforde’s playful use of language and clever intertextual references make it a joy for literary buffs. His writing style – rick with humour, wit, and intricate world-building – continues to engage the reader, blending the fantastical with the familiar.
The book has a lot going for it. The humour is on point, being both intelligent and accessible. There’s an inventiveness to the concepts, with unpublished boook world being an interested addition to the world of fiction that was already taking shape in the series.
I only have two criticisms. First, in places, the pacing can feel uneven. This is usually where Fforde goes heavy with references, which might slow down readers who are unfamiliar with the works to which Fforde alludes. My second criticism is just that the fact that this book fits so well into the Thursday Next series, does mean it doesn’t work quite as well as a standalone book. As someone who loves the series, this is not a problem for me, but it does make it less accessible for a casual reader who picks it up with little or no knowledge of the wider series.
The Well of Lost Plots is a fantastic addition to Fforde’s Thursday Next series. It might actually be my favourite entry in the series. The imaginative setting, strong character development, and witty narrative style make it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and those who appreciate a good blend of humour and adventure. Fforde’s ability to weave complex themes with accessible storytelling ensures that readers are both entertained and challenged.
Rating: 5/5
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