Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

[Anonymous]

Has anyone read this by Susanna Clarke?

I fancy having a lookie, but wondered if any of you had read it, and if so what did you think?

[Kell]

I've never read it but one of my most bookish buddies has been struggling with it for about a year now. I don't think she's finished it yet. I know it's one of her ambitions to do so, but I don't think she's enjoying it vey much to tell the truth.

[Sassenach]

I bought a copy, and then won a signed copy - but neither have been read. I tried, but couldn't really get into it. I will have another go some time.

[crispychez]

I am currently reading this book. It is very long so I am actually taking a break from it at the moment but it is not because I'm not enjoying it - just 1000 pages is too much alltogether.

[knitnurse]

I struggled and struggled as Neil Gaiman says it is the best recent fantasy book, but it's just not working for me :|

[Louiseog]

I can't hold it for long enough! Lots of people whose opinions I value love it though

[1sillywabbit]

:roll: Had this book for ages, and heard so much about it,
and could not wait to get it.. :) but I pick it up and put it down again, perhaps its the weight! lol...
Really must make a start.. erm er
one of these days I will :mrgreen:


Wabbit x :wave:

[Sugar]

I can't hold it for long enough! Lots of people whose opinions I value love it though

I have the version in 3 volumes. Much easier to hold! That said, I haven't actually started it yet, and I have had it at least 9 months!

[dogmatix]

I am in love with this book! I certainly understand the frustration many readers seem to have with the initial slowness of the pacing but once you get dipped in her beautiful prose the pacing is just perfect. It's like a train ride through the country the train may be the slow way to get there but the scenery is gorgeous. At page 200 or so (where I am) the characters are beginning to all come together and tension is beginning to build. Clarke's humor becomes a lot sharper too as the story progresses. I'm finding the developing plot intriguing and I'm turning the pages quite a bit faster. This book definitely is not for everyone and I've never read anything like it, in style and pacing, before. It's a little Dickensian (if that's a word).

I'll be watching this thread for any other tenacious reviewers and I'll post a complete one when I finish. I have the next 3 days off so it might not be too long.

[Galactic Space Hamster]

I read this book last year and fell deeply, madly, utterly in love with it. It's one of my favourite books of all time. There are a number of reasons why I liked it so much.

Firstly, as Dogmatix says, the prose is wonderful. She writes beautifully. I'm a real sucker for Victorian literature, so I enjoyed her book JUST for the Victorian language and sentence structure. I think the book could have been about anything and I still would have loved it just for the prose. So I guess I am biased since I really adore that style of writing. It's not just that it's in the Victorian style though. She is a wonderful writer.

Second reason is the characters. The people that populate the novel are some of the most realistic and well constructed characters of any book I have read. As in real life nobody in the novel is really stark good or bad but. Everybody has their good strengths and their failings to various degrees. Each character is very alive and real to me. Each character living in the pages and having motivations and desires that seem very real and understandable. I really liked the development of the characters as the years go by, and this is really one good reason to stick with the book.

Thirdly, the story is great. It's a very original fantasy. I liked the way she blended fantasy with historical reality. I enjoyed her version of fantasy and the faery themselves. Sure, the story has a slow pace, but it's never dull. There is always something going on in the novel. Every chapter forwards the plot or a character. There never seems to be any padding or anything that I would cut from the novel.

I'm really eager to read something new from her :)

[dogmatix]

I really liked the development of the characters as the years go by, and this is really one good reason to stick with the book.


Strange, in particular, really matures over the course of the book and I'm really enjoying his character.

(I'm just starting the last section now)

[Galactic Space Hamster]

Yeah he does change quite dramatically over the course of the book. I also liked how you start with book with, at least I did, very firm opinions on what Mr Norrell was like as a person only to have to re-access them later after finding out more about his character.

[dogmatix]

Yeah he does change quite dramatically over the course of the book. I also liked how you start with book with, at least I did, very firm opinions on what Mr Norrell was like as a person only to have to re-access them later after finding out more about his character.

Well I've finished up and your statement is correct, you really have to re-examine every character in the final section of this fabulous book. The ending is not tidy, something else I also appreciated.

I'll admit that this book requires some commitment to complete, but in finishing JSMN I feel as if I've read a classic. It really is a beautiful book. I loved the typically english setting, dark, spooky castles, rolling countryside, mischevious faeries, all of it. The characters were complicated and colored in inumerable shades of greys. None were good, none were bad. All were vulnerably human, even those that weren't! All in all a great book. Read it! Read it!

[Kell]

You guys are the onoly folks I know who have actually managed to finish this book! Everyone else I've heard of seems to have a major problem getting through it & many, I know, have just given up half-way through. I'm glad to hear it's so good after all!

[faithinthecharm]

I absolutely adore this book and can't wait for her volume of short stories to come out in the UK next month. I read it in a week and I could comfortabely read it again fairly soon. A classy, interesting, read

[Galactic Space Hamster]

OOOOOOOOOOH! I didn't know that she was bringing out some short stories next month! I'll be getting that when it's in paperback form :)

[princessponti]

I really want to pick this up again! My partner and I started reading it together a year ago and were really enjoying it, then we moved house and the book went missing for a bit. Since we've found it again, we both have mentioned that we really want to get into it again but can't seem to summon up the willpower as it's such a daunting task! We've even downloaded the first part of the audio book to try and get back up to speed without re-reading!! From the way you describe it Dogmatix it now seems even more appealing! ...must try harder...

[dogmatix]

I hope you do. :mrgreen:

[princessponti]

I've read it!!!

I found the book broken down into three ordinary sized paperbacks while I was at Glastonbury and have found it sooooo much easier to read! ..by the time I was at the half way mark I just couldn't put it down! It is now categorised as one of my all time favourites, beautifully written. I've since read 'the ladies of grace adieu', Susanna Clarkes short stories, which complement the Jonathan Strange world perfectly; and I was lucky enough to see Neil Gaiman in discussion with Susanna Clarke in London a little while ago... love her now! Can't wait for her next one (I think we have a long wait!).

[Gyre]

I just bought my second copy of this book, the first copy I gave to someone. I do so want to read it, but I just can't get into it, but I am going to keep trying. x

[princessponti]

I just bought my second copy of this book, the first copy I gave to someone. I do so want to read it, but I just can't get into it, but I am going to keep trying. x


...take it back and get the three part box set! Sooo much easier! :) I hope you perservere, it really is wonderful; I found it like walking into a whole new world.

(hello! Hope you're well xx)

[angerball]

I tried reading this a few years ago, but never finished. I did enjoy what I read, but I think I got distracted, and by the time I got back into it, I'd forgotten what happened earlier. :thud: I picked up a second hand copy a few months ago, so I plan to read it sometime soon.

[Gyre]

...take it back and get the three part box set! Sooo much easier! :) I hope you perservere, it really is wonderful; I found it like walking into a whole new world.

(hello! Hope you're well xx)

Hope you are well too Princess, I will give it a go x

[Gyre]

Everyone, I am going in...:D

http://bestsmileys.com/excited/3.gif

I am about to start reading 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell', this will be my third attempt - wish me luck!

[madcow]

Fingers crossed for ya Gyre :lol:

[Renniemist]

Good Luck Gyre. Hope you manage it this time. It is one huge book.:)

[Gyre]

Thanks everyone!

http://bestsmileys.com/friendly/3.gif

[princessponti]

Yay!!! Keep in touch (again) - I like to join in! It's like reading it again!!!


If you read up to the end of Chapter 22; that's the first volume of my three part set! You should mark it as a goal post! xx

[Gyre]

Thanks Princess! :D

Well I almost gave up on it and I was getting all frustrated.

http://bestsmileys.com/frustrated/7.gif

Then it got really interesting and I am now hooked. Princess, I will most certainly let you know when I get to the end of Chapter 22.

:readingtwo:

[TammyRich]

I've read this book - and it took me a month!!! But it was worth it. I think Ms Clarke was really generous to put so much into one book when she could have had the story as a series of books - there is so much in there. It is touching and moving and stirring and spooky and clever and inspired writing all in one. Very original and with humour and mystery as well. So much packed in. Persevere, persevere! :readingtwo:

[princessponti]

I totally agree Tammy! ..and Paula I'm so glad you're hooked!! It just reaches that one point and you can't put it down.. from the middle of the second volume I read it non-stop!

[Gyre]

I've read this book - and it took me a month!!! But it was worth it. I think Ms Clarke was really generous to put so much into one book when she could have had the story as a series of books - there is so much in there. It is touching and moving and stirring and spooky and clever and inspired writing all in one. Very original and with humour and mystery as well. So much packed in. Persevere, persevere! :readingtwo:

Will do Tammy, thank you! :friends0:

I totally agree Tammy! ..and Paula I'm so glad you're hooked!! It just reaches that one point and you can't put it down.. from the middle of the second volume I read it non-stop!

I will keep you informed Princess! I am still trying to work out the characters, I know that sounds odd. x

[princessponti]

It doesn't sound odd at all! The characters are very rich and complicated, it does take a while to figure them out, their motivations and quirks; it's one of the great things about the book.

love your new avatar! he doesn't look so happy to have that gift though, I could take it off his hands! xx I'm wanting a new hobbes christmas avatar, cant' find one! never mind, maybe I'll just plop a santa hat on this one! :)

[Gyre]

Thanks Princess, yeah he does not look too cheery, but anime dudes rarely do. :lol:

I was about to start a second book today, but I have decided to concentrate on 'Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell'.

Check your PM real soon Princess, I may have found you an avatar. x

[markmark]

I'm reading this at the moment. I'm about a quarter of the way through. Enjoying it a lot - am finding the Victorian novel style narrative a lot of fun. Last couple of books I read before this were by Chuck Palahniuk and Tom Robbins, so it's quite a change!

[princessponti]

Hi MarkMark! Welcome to the forum!!! - keep us posted on how your doing with Jonathan Strange, you and Gyre can keep each other motivated :D I want to read it all again, it's great to visit that whole other world.

[Gyre]

So far so good, Hi MarkMark!, we get through this book together:lol:

I am really enjoying it, but it is proving pointless to read it in work, I try to but someone always asked me to do something or look for something, so I am reading on the bus.

I have not made a big impact reading it, I just finished the part with Jonathon's Father, and can I just say, Lawrence (I hope that is name) is a total berk!

[princessponti]

Lol!! That is true! xx

[Gyre]

Lol!! That is true! xx

I quite like Mr Norrell too, he is quite funny, I was laughing away on the bus and everyone was looking at me. :lol:

[WillowFae]

I read it last year. Have to say that I probably wouldn't have finished it if I hadn't been challenged to read it and spurred on and encouraged to keep going by posters on another forum.

[Kylie]

Are you glad you persevered with it, WillowFae? I read it a few years ago, and I think I struggled a little with some parts but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love Susannah Clarke's writing style. I remember there were certain little phrases/descriptions that I thought were just brilliant.

[WillowFae]

I am, but more so that I can be one of the few that has managed to get through it rather than because it was enjoyable, if that makes sense.

[markmark]

Yeah. I'm trying to read a whole chapter each time I pick it up if I can... It's speeding up a lot for me now. I find the more I read it, especially after Jonathan is in it more, it becomes pretty compelling. Lots of potential friction. The amount of possibilities are intriguing me...


So far so good, Hi MarkMark!, we get through this book together:lol:

I am really enjoying it, but it is proving pointless to read it in work, I try to but someone always asked me to do something or look for something, so I am reading on the bus.

I have not made a big impact reading it, I just finished the part with Jonathon's Father, and can I just say, Lawrence (I hope that is name) is a total berk!

hello princessponti, hello people!

[Gyre]

I am at part 2!!!!!!:lol:

[Kylie]

Yay! Go Gyre! :clapping:

Are you reading the all-in-one version or do you have the three separate volumes?

[markmark]

Yeah! Just finished it this morning. Am glad I stuck with it. I think it's a little longer than it needs to be, the pace dipping somewhat in places, but overall highly enjoyable and imaginative. I thought the footnotes were generally interesting, but disrupted the flow of the narrative a bit too much at points.

How are you getting on with it Gyre?

[Gyre]

Yay! Go Gyre! :clapping:

Are you reading the all-in-one version or do you have the three separate volumes?

Hi Kylie, how are you?

I have the all in one version which made my last bag rip :lol: so I am just carrying it now. Really enjoying it so far. x

[Gyre]

Yeah! Just finished it this morning. Am glad I stuck with it. I think it's a little longer than it needs to be, the pace dipping somewhat in places, but overall highly enjoyable and imaginative. I thought the footnotes were generally interesting, but disrupted the flow of the narrative a bit too much at points.

How are you getting on with it Gyre?

Hi Markmark

How are you?

Glad to hear you finished it, well done you!

http://bestsmileys.com/excited/3.gif

I have just started part 2, I was pretty lapsed in reading it because I got caught up with 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman, but I am now concentrating on our magical boys :D

[markmark]

Hi Markmark

I have just started part 2, I was pretty lapsed in reading it because I got caught up with 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman, but I am now concentrating on our magical boys :D

Good luck with the rest of it!

I might read some Neil Gaiman soon... my brother seems to have devoured everything he's written, which is always a good sign.

I'm reading Mr Mee by Andrew Crumey now. It's got another fussy old academic in it! Although he's trying to get to grips with the internet, so it's not quite the same...

[Gyre]

Good luck with the rest of it!

I might read some Neil Gaiman soon... my brother seems to have devoured everything he's written, which is always a good sign.

I'm reading Mr Mee by Andrew Crumey now. It's got another fussy old academic in it! Although he's trying to get to grips with the internet, so it's not quite the same...

A fussy old academic is a fussy old academic whatever the time period!:lol:

[Gyre]

People people people!!!

A very quick post but I am pages, yes pages away from finishing the book! x

[Kylie]

Excellent news Gyre! It always feels like such an accomplishment to finish such a mammoth book, doesn't it? Let us know your thoughts when you're done!

[NiceguyEddie]

I'm about midway through this. It's been sat on my shelf in shrinkwrap since it was launched/hyped. I'm enjoying it. I wasn't absolutely certain I would, but it's good.

[Gyre]

I finished! I am really proud of myself, I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I did, but it was a brilliant book, the characters where amazing! What a cool book! xx:D

[Liz]

Nice one, Gyre! :mrgreen:
I'd love to give this book a go someday. It seems like it's a great read. xx

[Gyre]

Thanks Liz x

[markmark]

Well done Gyre!

And have fun with it NiceguyEddie... are you named after the sleeper song? I remember seeing them live quite a few years ago... Louise Wener writes novels herself these days! No idea if they're meant to be any good.