I'm glad I decided to read this book after finishing The Eyre Affair. The story moved along at a far more enjoyable pace. Granted, this could have had something to do with my familiarity of the world that Fforde built for Thursday and company to traipse around in. It may had also had something to do with the fact that the author treated the world building with a lighter touch.

In any event, I liked this one better and would be happy to read the rest of series.