Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel
by Susanna Clarke
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Book Reviews of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel
Book Review: "Historical" Magic
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a fantasy novel about two magicians (and a nasty thistle-downed-haired fairy) written in the form of a true historical novel, complete with footnotes to clarify the text and/or "refer" the reader to other sources. It is, if it is your taste, a wonderfully droll and imaginative book. I say, if it meets your taste because a complaint could be made that, when those moments of magic-making appear in the "history" they too are done with the writer's option of simply stating an historical fact. Some readers might like the writing at these points to "soar" a bit more than it does with wonder and imagery as the writing would surely do in other more traditional types of fantasy. For instance, when J. Strange brings some corpses to life (to question them) the scene is (to make a pun) almost lifeless, as it would be in a true historical novel. Still that complaint aside, the book is thoroughly readable, very entertaining, and the many pages go by rather swiftly. Oh, one more thing, the type font on the paperback is small and it might be wiser for some to avoid the mass market paperback and obtain another version.Book Review: May Become One of Your Favorites If You Can Get Through the First 400 Pages
Summary: 5 Stars
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is now one of my favorite books of all time but let me preface that with saying that I didn't even think I'd finish it while I was trudging through the first 400 -- yes 400! -- pages. Not that they were so bad. They were witty and eloquent in that long-winded British kind of way. But where was this story going? Character after character was introduced until I could scarcely keep track of why Stephen Black the butler and this "man with thistle down hair" and Jonathan Segundus and many others were even in the book at all. "Just get on with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell already," I began saying to my book.
And then something happened. Somewhere around P. 400 -- yes 400 -- these random characters that had been methodically built up independently suddenly began to collide in a way that made me realize Clarke herself is a magician as mighty as the ones she writes about. How delightful to watch a puzzle that you have been dumbfounded by come together piece by piece. I read the second 400 pages in two days and was sad to see the book end. It's a masterpiece.
Book Review: Good book that requires some patience.
Summary: 4 Stars
The book starts out much like an interesting history book of English magic, much of it told first hand. The book was complete with historical footnotes that were full of wit and interesting stories in and of themselves. The magic is fresh without all of the typical magical crutches and stereotypes. Also, the way magical "history" is woven into real English history was clever and super cool. The part magic played in Wellington's victory over Napoleon including the last battle at Waterloo is alternate history at its best. Still, it takes some time (like the first 600 pages) before the "actionable" plot of the book becomes clear, there is evil afoot in good ole England, at a time when the country's 2 magicians are at odds. The last 250 pages of the book make the first 600 worth the effort. The plot quickens and the twists and turns (after all, what kind of fantasy would it be, with out twists and turns) are unexpected and rewarding.
The book is recommended, but only if you are willing to take the time to read the footnotes, and not rush the expierence.
Book Review: Thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining read
Summary: 5 Stars
I let this book sit on my bookshelf for about two years before I finally read it. I'm ashamed to admit that I was somewhat turned off by its immense size -- I kept thinking of how the act of holding the book while reading was going to activate my carpal tunnel, and I wished I could have divided it into four smaller volumes just for ease of holding.
My physical ailments aside, I'm so glad I finally decided to start this book, because I just loved it. I loved the formal dialogue and gentle pacing, and I sort of found it jarring when I'd finish reading for the evening, and have to return to the "real world". I enjoyed getting lost in old England. I also loved the footnotes, which were full of fun stories or just entertaining information. The dry humour was unexpected and appreciated.
If there'd been a sequel, I would have immediately run out and purchased it when I finished reading. As it was, the book I read after this seemed so thin and shallow and disappointing. It was like eating an Oreo after having a slice of chocolate ganache cake.
Book Review: Read Wilkie Collins instead
Summary: 1 Stars
There is no reason to bother with this book, as far as I can tell. (I tossed it aside after 250 pages.) The prose is a poor imitation of that of the age the book depicts, and, though there is (contrary to some reports) a plot, the plot is entirely uninteresting. Again in opposition to some reports, the footnotes here are actually the most interesting thing in the book.
In any case, any novel that telegraphs plot twists exactly 102 pages in advance (this figure derived from the mass-market paperback edition) cannot be counted as anything but uninteresting. There are, of course, worse books, but none I can recall now that has been so widely praised.
Apparently, fans of the Harry Potter series might like this; let me recommend instead just rereading the Potter stuff or, better still, turning to the originals of which this is the tv movie version: Wilkie Collins' "The Woman in White" would be a fine place to start, and you can probably borrow that from the local library instead of wasting the money on this.