Reviews

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

pourrir's review against another edition

funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

This book was a trudge at some parts, but Ckarke's writing is beautiful and she has a great ability to craft a story. Im of the opinion that she is uniquely gifted at writing indiginiety to place. In this book, the connection to the land of Britian is such a powerful motif, and the contrast between to two main characters is very interesting.

micahstafford's review against another edition

4.0

Huh? Is that really the ending.
I think Susanna Clarke could've packed more and made the first and second parts more interesting.
I thought the book was brilliant and excellent throughout but could've caught up to the reader more.
Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Characters: 5
Pace: 3.5
Information: 4

lameeya_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I read a million reviews cautioning me how slow this was and so I was fully prepared for it. While the book is slow, it is brilliantly written, it would not be out of place with actual regency era literature, the writing is that strong. The story is fascinating in a more in depth, character study, let's meander and loiter around these parts way that I appreciated at most times but did grow weary at other points. It read like a gothic epic. I read about last half of the book in one day, staying up late to finish it but it took me a few days to get through the first half. Will I say the ending paid off for the 1000 pages it takes the book to reach there? Yes, more or less, but this one is about the journey and not necessarily about the destination. 4 stars instead of 5 because up until about 300 pages, I kept wanting to give up and had to convince myself to persevere on. But oh, so glad I did.

jessicah672's review against another edition

4.0

Strong 3.5! Very long and occasionally dragged but incredibly well written. World building was stunning.

catherine_hopper's review against another edition

4.0

This was extremely long (32 hours for the audiobook) and occasionally tedious, but this tale of two English magicians was still enchanting, fun (I laughed out loud at times!), and extremely creative.

peppermintlegs's review

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As perhaps the most annoying snob about Regency-era historical fiction, this book delighted me. I love the way Clarke utilized the socioeconomic structure of the time period, as well as incorporating the Napoleonic War. I loved both Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, two flawed men who are soooooo obsessed with each other it makes them look stupid. I also enjoyed how important the women were to the story—these men would be absolute wrecks without the women in their lives making them the successes they are and keeping them in check enough to achieve that. The magic was wonderful, the unfolding of historic fantasy compelling, and the incorporation of Real Life Actual Lord Byron so ballsy it had no choice but to be successful. Loved this book, ended up buying it, hope to reread in the future.

mneiger's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mugwumpun's review

5.0

At first I thought the book would be meandering and boring, just by judging on the length and browsing through her writing. After starting to read it though, I became engrossed in Mr Norrell, and then Jonathan Strange's actions and motivations to revive English magic. This was a refreshing fantasy read, set in a rich world and unique characters. I stayed up until 6/7 am to finish the last parts of the book.

anamuk's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm a fan of footnotes, and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is full of them. A book to be savoured in a comfortable chair. 

delgremmyaward's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

This was probably stylistically the best fantasy I've ever read . Love the dialogue, love the world-building, love the characters, but did not love the pacing. I do wonder if this book needed to be as long as it was. Because it took me months to read it, I have trouble remembering if all the setup at the beginning leads to a payoff in the end. It's the type of book that deserves a reread, but given its length, I probably won't get around to it.

Unlike others, I found no part of this boring, but it has a queer feeling to it. Once I'd been reading for about twenty minutes, I could go on for hours. Picking up the book is the hardest part because it requires some thought and some sustained attention. Getting into it, even if you've been reading it every day, is like adjusting to cold water when you go swimming in the ocean. Once you've adjusted, you can stay afloat with effort; you just really have to want to go into the water in the first place.