Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel
by Susanna Clarke
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Book Reviews of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel
Book Review: a pleasure!
Summary: 5 Stars
first off, i have to point out that this book is quite a fun.
the style of writing Clarke has is pleasant to the ear and mind.
but what strikes me very peculiar is that the first volume of this book titled MR. Norrell is focused on a character that is rude, arrogant, snobbish, pretty much the most unlikeable character i have ever read about and i couldn't put the book down. people who complain about this book being too slow need to realize that this is not something like Harry Potter. Clarke uses much of her language in this book not to tell the story so much as to play and experiment with the form of English during the 1800's i feel this book says much about common day literature. the story does drag in spots of the first volume but i found that once Jonathan Strange was introduced the book picked up quite nicely.the story is original and has many twists and turns. her writing is fun and sophisticated.
great book. i highly recommend it.
Book Review: Very good reading
Summary: 5 Stars
I didn't think I would like this book becuz it seemed for women, but I was wrong. It is very long book but so good a read. It is about a magician, but not at all like Harry Potter, so don't think it is. It is so much better than Harry Potter. I found myself thinking more of Jim Butcher's excellent DRESDEN FILES series, that I also think is great. There is no romance stuff in it, so don't worry about that.
It takes place in the 1850s or so and follows the exploits of Jonathan Strange on his quest to explore the world that cannot be seen. He makes "jumps" into a vast unknown area to go to other places and follow a mysterious figure that eventually begins to wreck havoc on the world of humans.
These characters come to life and is hard to put the book down, even though it is very very long. But you will be glad it was long when it is done and you will still want more. I am waiting for a sequel
Book Review: Not quite worth the time investment
Summary: 4 Stars
Of all the books in the world to read, I don't think this one is worth the investment of time: reading 1000+ pages of small type.
Good: Masterful, at times beautiful, use of language. Innovative plot and magic system.
Bad: Lifeless characters that did not engage me. Slow-moving, at times tedious, plot -- especially in the first several hundred pages.
Summary: To me, this entire book feels like a fantastical Jane Austen novel, only longer and with less dry wit. Personally, I only enjoy Jane Austen in small doses; so, this book was not very enjoyable for me. I still gave it 4 stars, because I don't deny that this book contains pretty writing. I understand why many people like it, but if you're not into it after the first 200 pages, just put it down and find something else. The structure does not substantially change, and you'll probably regret the wasted time.
Book Review: Definitely worth the read
Summary: 5 Stars
The book is definitely worth the read. At 800+ pages, it may look a little daunting, but - trust me - there isn't a wasted word in the entire novel.
It's good to see a female writer doing something so different in the field of fantasy. The only complaint I might possibly have is that the book is told by a very distant, very omniscient narrator, which makes it intellectually stimulating and humorous, but lacks a strong emotional connection to any of the characters. All of the characters are likeable, even the unlikeable ones who simply make us a laugh at their absurdities.
One thing that I can say is a big plus: I truly didn't see the ending coming until right before it hit. I knew that the plot was going somewhere, and it made steady progress through the hundreds of pages, but it actually has a pretty satisfying ending, which is rare in a lot of books I've read lately.
Book Review: I can't even describe how inflated the ego is.
Summary: 1 Stars
Here is my 5 theses regarding this horrid novel
First, Clarke uses the plot mainly as a giant anticliche against all other fantasy books
Second, She elaborates more on insignificant people by writing long footnotes that only stress your eyes with the sall print
Third, She lacks good variety in character, and her style practicaly causes characters to contradict themselves
Fourth, the story is MASSIVELY discursive
Fifth, you say the writing is beautiful? Her style is very modern and, once again, discursive. She directly refers to and converses directly with the reader too infrequently, as well as writing rhetorical questions, prose of her own. Her style is a sad attempt to bring the book an antique feel to it, but I myself write like that, and I'm twelve...HER WRITING IS CHILDISH!
Any good quality there may be is definitely overshadowed by the above.