Weave Posted January 15, 2008 Posted January 15, 2008 People people people!!! A very quick post but I am pages, yes pages away from finishing the book! x Quote
Kylie Posted January 15, 2008 Posted January 15, 2008 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! Quote
NiceguyEddie Posted January 16, 2008 Posted January 16, 2008 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. Quote
Weave Posted January 16, 2008 Posted January 16, 2008 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 Quote
Liz Posted January 16, 2008 Posted January 16, 2008 Nice one, Gyre! I'd love to give this book a go someday. It seems like it's a great read. xx Quote
markmark Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 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. Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 I loved this book when I read it a couple of years ago. I read it in about 10 days, and it had me completely hooked throughout, despite the weight of it! I can understand why it puts off a lot of people, not just the length, but the footnotes are sometimes a bit daunting, but it is worth it! I know a lot of my reading group often complain that the books we are given are too long, and for the most part I agree, and actually think those books actually need editing to make them better, but in the case of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell I didn't feel there was anything unnecessary and I loved the detail of the footnotes in expanding the myths and legends of the story. I'm not a massive fan of fantasy, but the historical setting and the humour of the writing, along with an interesting cover to make me pick it up in the first place, meant I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Quote
chrysalis_stage Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 i have this book ready to read once ive finished the series im currently reading, looking forward to it, i like a challenge, sounds like an enjoyable challenge Quote
princessponti Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 It is an incredibly rewarding read - I found it daunting in hardback and couldn't get through it - the 3 volume paperback set is much much easier. ...Let us know how you get on chrysalis Quote
Rawr Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 I actually have had this book for years now, i remember buying it from Waterstones thinking like hmm, this sounds quite interesting, but never got around to beginning it. I shall have to dig it out! Quote
Ophelia Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 I have this book in my 'to be read' pile but have yet to tackle it Quote
MDR124 Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 absolutely if you have any time read it...it's really worth it all the 700 pages... Quote
MDR124 Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 It is as if you had Chesterton, Austen and Tolkien all mixed up in a compelling story... Quote
Weave Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 It took me so long to finally read 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' but it was well worth it, I really enjoyed it, a brilliant story Quote
chrysalis_stage Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 I got my copy from the RSPCA charity shop almost brand new looks unread for Quote
MDR124 Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) I got my copy from the RSPCA charity shop almost brand new looks unread for Edited March 2, 2009 by MDR124 Quote
chrysalis_stage Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 No sadly not the black version, I wasn't even aware there was an all black version, sounds interesting though. Quote
Seiichi Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 I got my copy from the RSPCA charity shop almost brand new looks unread for Quote
aspidistra Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 I read it a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved it all: the characters, the atmosphere, the story, the notes at the foot of the pages (almost independant stories by themselves)... a brilliant book. Quote
Seiichi Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 I liked the footnotes, too. As well as the language Susannah Clarke uses, I felt those notes further heightened the illusion that she was writing as a contempary at the time. Quote
MDR124 Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 It's true...It feels like she were a XIX cent. writer: she has something of Austen in her veiled social critic, in her sharp clever phrases which highlight in few words a whole character. Regarding the footnotes, these are amazing, as if they were short stories attached to the main novel, adding layers on layers of magic to the novel, as magic mirrors which help the reader entering misterious worlds. Quote
Peacefield Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 I'm excited to read this now after reading these last few pages of comments! I bought it for only .50 at my library book sale a couple of weekends ago and now am glad I know what I'm going to read after my next book. Quote
MDR124 Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 I'm excited to read this now after reading these last few pages of comments! I bought it for only .50 at my library book sale a couple of weekends ago and now am glad I know what I'm going to read after my next book. Let me know what you think when you finish it. Quote
Smay Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 I really started to dislike the book because of it's length and sometimes dreary sentences. The footnotes were really good, but it was still a tough read. When i finally finished it, i was so happy i read it! The ending was worth everything. Quote
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