Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2004)

There are a few questions you might ask yourself before you start Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, that I did not know to ask. The first is, do you like Magical Realism? For the most part, I do not. The second is, are you willing to devote the time you must give to the first half of this tome (the first half being rather difficult to endure) to get to the second half, which moves much faster and is fairly engrossing? If I could have the time back, my answer would be probably not. Ah, but then even Strange and Norrell could not give me back my time, I fear.

Perhaps the failing is in me when I read this kind of book, but I cannot find any deeper meaning in it. It is just a fantastic story, meant to entertain. A bit like watching a horror movie (another genre that fails to capture my imagination). I admit that once I got about halfway in, I would not have stopped reading. I needed to know what was going to happen and how this pair of magicians were going to disentangle themselves from the destruction they were courting. Like passing a car wreck that you would prefer to look away from but simply cannot. Sorry, I seem to be given to similes today.

I can see how someone who loves this genre would LOVE this book. The author is artful, the suspense is sustained, and the magic is magical. Not a case of the book not been well-written, just a case of the reader not been the proper audience. I have a book going right now that is set in Victorian England, minus the magic, and I am hoping it will bring me back to the real world that I prefer.
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Couldn't do it. A 1/4 of the way through and nothing but a few little hints at the main story showed themselves. I understand the setting and have enough interact with British culture to understand they have a different style of talk for this time period. However, the book gets lost in establishing 30 different characters who aren't all that interesting to get to one character or plot point. Also by 1/4 of the read, only two or three main plot points have showed themselves. So I couldn't do it. A story about magic in England during the Napoleonic Wars? Does that sound like it could be boring? Because it was. Final Grade - F ( )

This is a test review. Do not think poorly of me for this. ( )

This was a solidly entertaining read. The book spends a lot of time weaving a lot of threads that are all drawn together in the end. If you like that sort of thing (and I do), then there's a good chance you'll enjoy the book. If you prefer a more direct plot, you'll probably be driven to boredom. ( )

This is one of the most captivating reads I have come across for some time. It is complex and compelling. It is written in the style of a Victorian novel, which I can see could put some readers off. However if, like me, you grew up reading classical literature this feels very comfortable in style.

It tells the story of two magicians and their attempts to resurrect English magic, a process which inevitably leads to dealings with the fairy folk. Needless to say it does not go quite according to plan.

This book is not a light read, or a quick listen for that matter. I would highly recommend it though because it is superbly well written, well researched and immersive. Just allow plenty of time to soak up the world which Susanna Clarke as created. ( )