Red Side Story

By: Jasper Fforde

Narrated by: Chris Harper, Jasper Fforde

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited sequel to Jasper Fforde's cult bestseller Shades of Grey, set in world where social hierarchy revolves entirely around visual colour.

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?

It's a tale of a young couple's thirst for justice and answers in an implacably rigid society, where the prisoners are also the guards, and cages of convention bind the citizens to only one way of thinking - or suffer the consequences....

©2022 Jasper Fforde (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Hilariously absurd dystopia

Jasper Fford has delivered a wonderful sequal to Shades of Grey. I was enthralled all the way through and am excited to see where the characters end up.

The long awaited ending (?)

First of all, a weird thing: I had to listen at 0.85x speed for the book to sound normal. It feels like it was sped up for an unknown reason. As to the story, it is impeccable as always with Jasper Fforde. It gives a quite satisfactory ending, but I think that the next book is still possible. Gordini Protocols was announced back in the days. It's 8/10 for me, and I totally recommend. Listening to the book performed by the author is a great privilege <3

A sequel that's as good as the first.

We all have been waiting a long time for this book and I'm glad to say, the wait was worth it. Way more questions answered from the first book then I ever imagined possible. The story is a masterpiece. I will definitely be revisiting this book many times to come as I've done with the first.

Gripping, thrilling and colorful (hehe)

Great listen. The story is awesome if a bit predictable. The epigraphs were somewhat annoying as they sounded as if they were recorded with a tin can.

Well worth the wait!!!!

Shades of Grey is my absolute favourite book (I relisten every few months, it’s my comfort book) and I’ve waited YEARS for the sequel!! Mr Fforde did not disappoint, the dialogue is funny, the characters heartwarming, the plot a roller coaster ride… there will be guffaws of laughter, heart thumping suspense and tears of despair even before the big reveal…. Now I have 2 favourite books and will spend a long time re-listening to this series…

One thing to note: Chris Hayes is a superb narrator but I miss the sublime Gareth Armstrong who really brought SoG to life for me… so just a caution to the Armstrong fans who like me, may find themselves adapting their listening to the first few chapters, but the story and the characters are such that you will be drawn in regardless.

Thank you, Mr Jasper Fforde.

Another amazing jasper fforde work

This book has certainly been worth the many years waiting for it. the plot is as clever, funny , touching and thought provoking as the first book in the series. narration is top notch and impressively fits the book. The only down fall is that it’s not longer. hopefully won’t have to wait 14 years for the 3rd part.

Just a thoroughly entertaining listen

A really easy to listen to narrative style, engaging storyline, and superbly delivered by the narrator