I interviewed Jasper Fforde a million years ago: he’s a lovely guy, like a much younger Bill Nighy (perhaps older now I guess, though not older than Bill Nighy, nobody can be). His earlier Thursday Next series (about a detective called Thursday Next) are amazing works of wildness, including a world where George Formby is still alive and is the British president. Recommended.
Thanks again for this Helen - just downloaded the Jasper Fforde. I was wondering if you’d ever considered making a ‘Younger Readers’ edition of Difficult Women? I’d love to share it with my kids who are on cusp of teenagery and to use it in the school I work at. Might sound silly but there have been great ‘Young Readers’ editions of recent books by David Olusoga, Adam Rutherford, Tim Harford, Trevor Noah and even Alastair Campbell is at it now and they are really great for getting kids engaged with more complex ideas. I was listening to you on the Common Reader podcast talking about the sort of Rebel Girls/ 50 feminist role models books which are fun but do avoid the moral complexity of many of these figures. Finally, I love the way you pop up on every podcast I listen to (Private Eye, Past Present Future, Blocked and Reported) - would love to hear you on Ezra Klein’s show discussing Terry Pratchett with him!
I think those are publisher-driven — if a book is big enough (or the publisher wants to promote it for political reasons) they commission one. I’ve never heard of someone pitching one. A shame because it would be an interesting challenge.
You ask about the statement “We know that, in journalists, PTSD seems to be correlated with ethical regrets.” I think this is referring to “moral injury”. Certainly true to say that exposure to “morally injurious events” is associated with PTSD, and that journalists have reported moral injury. That being said, moral injury does seem to be a thing in itself, which we need to figure out better ways of treating. Nice summary with links to useful references here (refs 2 and 5 will be of particular interest): https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00113-9/fulltext .
Another Fforde fan (albeit one whose fandom has softened in recent years). I wasn’t 100% sure about how I felt about Red Side Story on first reading - overall positive, but things that I wasn’t sure on. Your mini review has made me want to reread it, which would make the first Fforde re read since Shade of Grey.
I’m very intrigued about what political position it changed your mind on!
It was strange to read it in the middle of Small Boats Discourse --- and realise that no one, really, is ever happy to see refugees/asylum seekers. (Yad Vashem in Jerusalem makes this point repeatedly about the 1930s.) So it was interesting to imagine what that would be like.
Jasper Fforde's books have been a must buy for me for years. They're always fun and leave you pondering just how many different aspects of modern life he's taking pot shots at. Red Side Storey was a great follow up to Shades of Grey answering lots of questions that we all must have had. Now it's the wait for the next Thursday Next novel. Perhaps it's time to think about a trip to Swindon for the Fforde Fiesta 2025.
I've never read any Jasper Fforde, but will add him to my library list on your recommendation. The ability to change one's mind is a rare and precious one, I think your openness is one of the qualities that makes you an exceptional journalist.
My main thought on finishing Red Side Story was ‘I hope it doesn’t take another 12 years to find out what happens next’ - although I think it could end with book 2. I love the post apocalyptic ‘Salad Days’ setting, and also the reveal of the location of the L shaped island with the bulge. Not sure I trust Sabine…
I interviewed Jasper Fforde a million years ago: he’s a lovely guy, like a much younger Bill Nighy (perhaps older now I guess, though not older than Bill Nighy, nobody can be). His earlier Thursday Next series (about a detective called Thursday Next) are amazing works of wildness, including a world where George Formby is still alive and is the British president. Recommended.
I liked that series a lot (although i felt the returns were a bit diminishing?) and the Nursery Crimes series too.
Thanks again for this Helen - just downloaded the Jasper Fforde. I was wondering if you’d ever considered making a ‘Younger Readers’ edition of Difficult Women? I’d love to share it with my kids who are on cusp of teenagery and to use it in the school I work at. Might sound silly but there have been great ‘Young Readers’ editions of recent books by David Olusoga, Adam Rutherford, Tim Harford, Trevor Noah and even Alastair Campbell is at it now and they are really great for getting kids engaged with more complex ideas. I was listening to you on the Common Reader podcast talking about the sort of Rebel Girls/ 50 feminist role models books which are fun but do avoid the moral complexity of many of these figures. Finally, I love the way you pop up on every podcast I listen to (Private Eye, Past Present Future, Blocked and Reported) - would love to hear you on Ezra Klein’s show discussing Terry Pratchett with him!
I think those are publisher-driven — if a book is big enough (or the publisher wants to promote it for political reasons) they commission one. I’ve never heard of someone pitching one. A shame because it would be an interesting challenge.
Great newsletter, as ever!
You ask about the statement “We know that, in journalists, PTSD seems to be correlated with ethical regrets.” I think this is referring to “moral injury”. Certainly true to say that exposure to “morally injurious events” is associated with PTSD, and that journalists have reported moral injury. That being said, moral injury does seem to be a thing in itself, which we need to figure out better ways of treating. Nice summary with links to useful references here (refs 2 and 5 will be of particular interest): https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00113-9/fulltext .
Thank you!
BLEUUUURGH - guess where I got The Ick™️ whilst reading the bluestocking today
50% of people will get the ick (TM). Would lizz truss be a yellow or a purple?
Sorry mate, I don’t understand the question
Another Fforde fan (albeit one whose fandom has softened in recent years). I wasn’t 100% sure about how I felt about Red Side Story on first reading - overall positive, but things that I wasn’t sure on. Your mini review has made me want to reread it, which would make the first Fforde re read since Shade of Grey.
I’m very intrigued about what political position it changed your mind on!
It was strange to read it in the middle of Small Boats Discourse --- and realise that no one, really, is ever happy to see refugees/asylum seekers. (Yad Vashem in Jerusalem makes this point repeatedly about the 1930s.) So it was interesting to imagine what that would be like.
Jasper Fforde's books have been a must buy for me for years. They're always fun and leave you pondering just how many different aspects of modern life he's taking pot shots at. Red Side Storey was a great follow up to Shades of Grey answering lots of questions that we all must have had. Now it's the wait for the next Thursday Next novel. Perhaps it's time to think about a trip to Swindon for the Fforde Fiesta 2025.
I've never read any Jasper Fforde, but will add him to my library list on your recommendation. The ability to change one's mind is a rare and precious one, I think your openness is one of the qualities that makes you an exceptional journalist.
I have to say that I concur with all points highlighted Art, Helen is absolutely 💯 spot on so many levels.💫👏
LOVING Beneath the Streets - thanks for the recommendation
My main thought on finishing Red Side Story was ‘I hope it doesn’t take another 12 years to find out what happens next’ - although I think it could end with book 2. I love the post apocalyptic ‘Salad Days’ setting, and also the reveal of the location of the L shaped island with the bulge. Not sure I trust Sabine…