Shades of Grey
Jasper Fforde
Viking, Dec 29 2009, $25.95
ISBN 9780670019632

It has been hundreds of years since the formation of the Colortocracy was formed to rule the world. The rules are 100 percent enforced with a rigid restrictiveness based on the color scale. What one sees is where one fits in this international color caste system.

Red Eddie Russett hopes to climb the chromatic ladder by marrying up a notch or two. However, when Eddie meets lowlife Grey masses Jane G-23; he is stunned by his attraction as she is so beneath his level. He is further stunned when he accompanies his father sent to the Outer Fringes as the Swatchman where he meets shunned historian, the Apocryphal who encourages Eddie to learn the truth behind the apocalyptic event from centuries ago that led to the color caste system. As Eddie seeks questions to what happened then and now, the Collective is after him as is Jane G-23.

This is a brilliant satire using the color spectrum to lampoon society. The story line is well written but the color of Jasper Fforde overwhelms all else including in some respects the plot, the underlying message and the hero as the audience will remain spellbound by the vivid descriptions even that of the Shades of Grey. Mr. Fforde is at his best with this super look at how we “see” the world.

Harriet Klausner