I went to see Jasper Fforde give a talk tonight at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, D.C.. [Dylan went with me, but spent the time playing chess on my pda.] I’ve read the first book in Fforde’s Thursday Next series (“The Eyre Affair“), and I loved it. This talk was about the fifth book in that series, Thursday Next, First Among Sequels. Mr. Fforde is a great speaker – extremely funny and engaging. I can’t wait to find the time to read all the books in this series (as well as his other series, “Nursery Crimes”).
At the end of his talk, he signed books for people. I sure am glad we sat on the floor at the front (against a bookcase); the place was packed with hundreds of people. I was about the 5th person in line, and by the time I got through the line was out the door.
Anyway, when I got to the front, Mr. Fforde asked me if he should make it out to anyone. I replied, “a signature is fine – unless you already know who I am”. He (and his partner) then started reciting names, hoping to land on mine. After about 15, he stopped and she asked “So what is your name”? “John”, I replied. “Darn. That was an easy one, how’d I miss that?” Then he smiled so I could take his picture.
