A Ponderance
Jan. 19th, 2005 11:30 pmI wonder if, perhaps, the important meeting next Thursday in the Snicket books is an oblique reference/tribute to Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels, whose main character is named ... you guessed it ... Thursday Next.
The more I think about it, the more likely it seems. Mr. Fforde makes copious use of literature and literary references for both plot elements and in-jokes, as well as satirizes the real world through the lens of a historically altered and somewhat caricatured world of his own. These are things Mr. Handler seems to admire, or at least do himself in both the Snicket books and The Basic Eight (Not for young readers! I'm serious! Beware!). Could it be? Or is it just a coincidence? After all, there are only seven days of the week to choose from, and Thursday is appealingly insignificant.
The more I think about it, the more likely it seems. Mr. Fforde makes copious use of literature and literary references for both plot elements and in-jokes, as well as satirizes the real world through the lens of a historically altered and somewhat caricatured world of his own. These are things Mr. Handler seems to admire, or at least do himself in both the Snicket books and The Basic Eight (Not for young readers! I'm serious! Beware!). Could it be? Or is it just a coincidence? After all, there are only seven days of the week to choose from, and Thursday is appealingly insignificant.
Hi!
Date: 2005-01-21 10:50 am (UTC)