Lost in a Good Book

I found the first book in the series underwhelming, but I thought I'd give the second one a chance, figuring that this one wouldn't get bogged down in world-building like the first did. Too much of the first third of this book seems to be taken up with rehashing the events of the previous book, and it feels like Fforde's stabs at humor haven't really improved. I could bore you with describing every strained attempt at wackiness or over-explained joke, but having recently re-read the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I have to say Fforde just has no bite. Considering that the Thursday Next books are aimed at book nerds, the whole idea of taking shots at giant corporations, bureaucracy, celebrity culture and fashion just feel like lazy pandering. Sorry, Jas, this is where you and I part ways.