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btrz7's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So after sitting on it for a bit, I've finally decided to come review this book. My main point, is that, while well written, this book is a drag. It has too many pages for the amount of content you can squeeze out of it in the end. I liked the story, but it did not need to meander this much.
To start with, the first two characters we are introduced to in the book, who take the spotlight and get a lot of build up in the beginning section, are minor characters. You are reading and reading and thinking "Are these Norrel and Strange? Will they be them? Are we going to get the whole story from their perspective then? Are they main characters?" and the answer to all of them is "NO". It feels like a lot of effort to put in two minor characters who will have maybe a couple of brief passages and minor influence in the big plot of the book. Then, we are introduced to one of the title characters way late in the book. After a brief introduction, said character is then ignored for some more chapters before then having page time as a main character. Again, some chapters and some effort is put into a few characters that will only be relevant for a brief moment in time, or not at all - some are somewhat built up and then completely forgotten by the end of the book, and again you think "why?" What was the point of introducing a character, giving them some flesh and then never even completing their story? You get the point.
None of the two main characters is particularly likeable, but I'm sure that's intentional, and for the tone of alternate history book that this takes, it works well enough; although I would prefer it if the interpersonal relationships between characters were a bit more believable. A certain plot point hinges on that and I don't think I was convinced.
In general, I did enjoy the plot, just felt like some trimming was needed. I do recommend the TV adaptation, as it focuses on the essential and makes the characters seem more human.
To start with, the first two characters we are introduced to in the book, who take the spotlight and get a lot of build up in the beginning section, are minor characters. You are reading and reading and thinking "Are these Norrel and Strange? Will they be them? Are we going to get the whole story from their perspective then? Are they main characters?" and the answer to all of them is "NO". It feels like a lot of effort to put in two minor characters who will have maybe a couple of brief passages and minor influence in the big plot of the book. Then, we are introduced to one of the title characters way late in the book. After a brief introduction, said character is then ignored for some more chapters before then having page time as a main character. Again, some chapters and some effort is put into a few characters that will only be relevant for a brief moment in time, or not at all - some are somewhat built up and then completely forgotten by the end of the book, and again you think "why?" What was the point of introducing a character, giving them some flesh and then never even completing their story? You get the point.
None of the two main characters is particularly likeable, but I'm sure that's intentional, and for the tone of alternate history book that this takes, it works well enough; although I would prefer it if the interpersonal relationships between characters were a bit more believable. A certain plot point hinges on that and I don't think I was convinced.
In general, I did enjoy the plot, just felt like some trimming was needed. I do recommend the TV adaptation, as it focuses on the essential and makes the characters seem more human.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Murder, War, and Classism
andromeda_1998's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is the thickest book I’ve read for quite some time and in some ways it was an overwhelming read for me since English isn’t my first language. It was a a good challenge for me and I’m glad that I have achieved it. Now on to the review, what are my thoughts about this book:
The plot
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is about England in the 19th century. The book is an alternative version of our own reality.
Once upon a time magic used to be strong and overflowing in England but over the centuries magic has slowly been disappearing all over the country. But while practicing magicians have disappeared, theoretical magicians have lived on. Mr Norrell is determined to change the magical foundations at which his reality is based. He becomes the first practicing magicians in centuries and tries to make the job respectable again. He travels to London to show England what real magic looks like but everything changes when he meets Jonathan Strange. He takes Jonathan on as his pupil and together they try to bring magic back to England, even thought they both have different views on what this means precisely.
The book has a slow start since a lot of different stories are being told throughout the book and it takes some time for them all to fit together. After 200+ story’s the pacing becomes better and around 700+ pages the story takes flight and every storyline gets connected. I enjoyed the book, a lot, but I feel like the book could have been told in less pages with the same effect. And that’s just a shame, in my opinion.
Writingstyle
The author chose to write the book in a more classical writingstyle reminiscent of the time the story takes place in. This makes the book a bit heavier to read but it does set the mood. The writer uses a lot of footnotes to further explain plot points and to deepen the worldbuilding. I did sometimes enjoy them but sometimes it did give the book sla stiffness that I associate with schoolbooks and research papers. Again it sets the tone but it does make the pacing of the book slower and the story heavier.
Characters
This book has some wonderfully complicated characters that I really enjoyed. I did find it a bit disappointing that the focus between pages 600-800 of the book was more on Jonathan, it felt like Norrell disappeared for a bit. It was especially disappointing since Norrell did do important things in that part of the book that happens largely of screen. I would have like a more 50/50 view of the characters since it felt to me like I was reading a different book in the same universe. I cannot explain it better.
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding in this book is incredibly detailed and I’m my opinion it’s the best aspect of the book. Yes, there is a lot of it to go through but it makes for a very believable world.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to more seasoned readers. It can be a bit of a challenge but it’s worth reading it.
The plot
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is about England in the 19th century. The book is an alternative version of our own reality.
Once upon a time magic used to be strong and overflowing in England but over the centuries magic has slowly been disappearing all over the country. But while practicing magicians have disappeared, theoretical magicians have lived on. Mr Norrell is determined to change the magical foundations at which his reality is based. He becomes the first practicing magicians in centuries and tries to make the job respectable again. He travels to London to show England what real magic looks like but everything changes when he meets Jonathan Strange. He takes Jonathan on as his pupil and together they try to bring magic back to England, even thought they both have different views on what this means precisely.
The book has a slow start since a lot of different stories are being told throughout the book and it takes some time for them all to fit together. After 200+ story’s the pacing becomes better and around 700+ pages the story takes flight and every storyline gets connected. I enjoyed the book, a lot, but I feel like the book could have been told in less pages with the same effect. And that’s just a shame, in my opinion.
Writingstyle
The author chose to write the book in a more classical writingstyle reminiscent of the time the story takes place in. This makes the book a bit heavier to read but it does set the mood. The writer uses a lot of footnotes to further explain plot points and to deepen the worldbuilding. I did sometimes enjoy them but sometimes it did give the book sla stiffness that I associate with schoolbooks and research papers. Again it sets the tone but it does make the pacing of the book slower and the story heavier.
Characters
This book has some wonderfully complicated characters that I really enjoyed. I did find it a bit disappointing that the focus between pages 600-800 of the book was more on Jonathan, it felt like Norrell disappeared for a bit. It was especially disappointing since Norrell did do important things in that part of the book that happens largely of screen. I would have like a more 50/50 view of the characters since it felt to me like I was reading a different book in the same universe. I cannot explain it better.
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding in this book is incredibly detailed and I’m my opinion it’s the best aspect of the book. Yes, there is a lot of it to go through but it makes for a very believable world.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to more seasoned readers. It can be a bit of a challenge but it’s worth reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
amsu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dieses Buch liest sich wie ein Jane Austen Roman, der in ein wenig Magie getaucht wurde. Wer Magier, Elfen, eine leicht düstere Stimmung mag, der sollte sich diese Buch mal durchlesen oder aber das Audiobuch lesen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and War
featherbrain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Racism
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Mental illness, Misogyny, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol