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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars. The beginning is a bit slow, but the majority of the story is interesting and exciting. The writing style is reminiscent of the early nineteenth century, and I love the footnotes that explore the world and history of English magic. Clarke's seamless incorporation of magic, magicians, and the fairy world into an alternate version of English history is impressive.
Clarke's ability to work comedy into her writing without being goofy in one scene and conjure imagery that would fit into a horror story in the next makes the story perfectly balanced (in my opinion).
I only wish there was a bit more resolution at the end.
Clarke's ability to work comedy into her writing without being goofy in one scene and conjure imagery that would fit into a horror story in the next makes the story perfectly balanced (in my opinion).
I only wish there was a bit more resolution at the end.
adventurous
funny
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first book of this book was entertaining and well written- past then I felt like nothing really mattered, didn't go anywhere in particular, and wasn't satisfying.
While it’s well-written and uses history in an interesting way, I was bored to tears. I either loathed or didn’t have any interest in the characters, and unfortunately, I need to be invested in at least one character but none of the ones here did it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Classism
Moderate: Violence, War
I love this book SO MUCH. My second read and just as good. I love the narrator, I love the footnotes, I love the world building, I love that the tone switches from Austen style irony to dark and mysterious and moving and SC is incredible at both. No notes, one of my favourite books. I miss it already.
All I can do is echo the Washington Post review: “Many books are to be read, some are to be studied, and a few are meant to be lived in for weeks. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is of this last kind.” Now to watch the BBC Series and to continue living in this novel for a few more weeks ❤️