I enjoyed the concept of this one and the world building. It was interesting and definitely something different. 

Charlie is your lovable loser who doesn’t have much going for him but has this perfect opportunity to do better. Other characters make the story colorful and engaging (The Toccata/Aurora arc is amusing and fun to read). Each character has their own quirks and personality traits which makes the book develop a personality of its own. 

The concept of people going into hibernation, and the viral dreams is interesting and makes the world unique and unbelievable but also fun to read. The world building itself in the novel is also interesting. I took a liking to the Villains and their stamp collecting, although they play a small part in the novel, think of them as elegant pirates with a penchant for stamps. 

So although the characters and the setting is interesting, the plot itself falls flat and is very slow. There’s sporadic moments to carry the book along, but overall the book in its entirety is slow paced. It did feel a bit of a chore to read for the most part which is unfortunate as there the setting and the characters proved to be promising but the plot could have been better.

This was my first Jasper Fforde book, so I’m willing to give the other books a chance as I’m sure they’re better this one. It’s not that I didn’t like reading it, but it was the slow pace of the plot that nearly compromised my attention and rather affected my reading and enjoyment of the book.

Jasper Fforde, author of the popular Thursday Next and Nursery Crime series employs his signature wit and creativity in the new standalone novel, Early Riser. This fantastical story presents an alternate reality in which people hibernate during the winter every year. In order to ensure survival during this time, they prepare by adding weight and taking medications to make sure they do not regain consciousness too early. A small number of individuals are selected to remain awake to keep things running smoothly and protect the sleepers from the many strange creatures that might prey on them. The biggest threat is from those who wake too early and are caught between states- the Nightwalkers that transform into cannibalistic zombies. The narrator of Fforde’s imaginative story is Charlie, a young man embarking on his first waking winter season. He is serendipitously recruited to enter a special fast-track management program due to his excellent memory and rash willingness to risk almost certain death. Charlie is a witty character, a real “fish out of water” who bumbles his way into an awkward adventure. He tries to cope after he is stranded in a remote district that is subject to extreme weather and assaults by creatures thought only to exist in myth. In trying to learn his way, follow his conscience and simply survive, Charlie uncovers a secret conspiracy that could endanger the world and enslave many of its people. He unwillingly becomes the expected hero and his efforts and reflections are hilariously unspooled by Fforde’s great writing. Early Riser is at times confusing and rambling, but always entertaining and engaging. A truly unique story with endearing characters, Fforde’s new offering provides a fun ride that will thrill fantasy fans from start to finish.

Oh but it was good to dive back into Fforde's skewed way of looking at the world.

As with Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, I find it difficult to review his books because they are just delightfully bonkers and hard to explain. But if you're already a fan of his stuff then you'll probably enjoy this one too. (I guarantee you'll enjoy it more than endless episodes of Crossroads.)

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream? 

It's like Inception but with Tunnock's Teacakes 

This book is the lovechild of Moominland Midwinter and 1984. I would say it's closer to Shades of Grey than it is to Thursday Next. A bit of a slow-burner to start with, but things are now beginning to get going.

I think Fforde has mentioned in interviews that he had the Moomin stories in his mind while he was writing this, and he certainly pays homage with a character known as the Gronk (Moomin fans will remember the Groke who appears silently and who freezes the ground she sits on). However, you should probably not confuse Fforde's Gronk with the one that plays football for the New England Patriots.

And talking of the Groke, a friend sent me this - It's Fifty Shades of Groke.