Reviews - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

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7.95k reviews for:

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Susanna Clarke

3.96 AVERAGE

ellainthetrees's review against another edition

3.0

mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Unfortunately the main characters are unbearable people. While some of the side cast is also awful or partially flawed in impressive ways, they don’t nearly draw my annoyance as much as those two men. The most infuriating part is that whenever something unfortunate does occur, it (almost) always does so by way of other people suffering or at least also being drawn into whatever has occurred. Others pay the price for their actions and they never show any signs of true character growth or acknowledging their flaws.

However, the actual writing and style of this novel are greatly enjoyable. Books that stylise themselves as something other than a classic novel are something that I have a particular love for. Whilst the footnotes were at times a bit bloated, and even within the framing seemed out of place (not every idea one has has to be included in the final product), overall they were enjoyable and helped break up the somewhat tedious plot.

If this book was mostly about Lady Pole, Lady Strange and Stephen Black with the same writing style, this could have easily become a new favourite. Alas, we are stuck with two entitled men as our focus and the book suffers accordingly.

gab_in's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

in general, I like this, but it is only a little more than ok or good. I love the concept of academical magic and the way I perceived its construction - a severe chaos which is an antithesis to society and industrialization that hinders when tried to be contained/retrained under such limitations of refinement and respectability -, I love the distinction between theoretical and practical magic and how it slowly gets torn appart, I love the building of the characters, especially of the women and of Stephen. on the other side, the war segments, while it is possible to see their relevance in the overrall story through the impact on Strange's character and in serving as a way of exploring this magic, they are so boring, almost insufferable (maybe I just don't like reading about wars, they're always a slop for me in fantasy). the ending in itself as also underwhelming (perhaps because I read the last 200 pages in one day and that was somewhat exhausting; I'm planning on rereading the last 4 or what chapters). it has its pacing and developing flaws that I did not feel were really rewarded by the end, with not the story left open but the worldbuilding left vague (which, some might argue, is a positive aspect), and is, nevertheless, a really interesting book with an unique approach, at least with my baggage hitherto. it took me a long time to finish because I stopped reading for months a little after the start of volume 2 but when I picked it up again (with audiobook help) it flowed and became increasingly more pleasent to follow, even more when it begins to be possible to grasp the general picture the author is trying to make.

nikearurounin's review against another edition

4.0

Think of me with my nose in a book.

ayocky's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book took me a while to finish. I enjoyed the story but I had a difficult time pushing through at points. There are so many different stories being weaved together over the course of many years, but the ending is worth it! The last 100-150 pages are a whirlwind of action that is unpredictable and exciting. Everything that has been building up comes to a conclusion. The characters can be incredibly annoying and stubborn and times but they feel like real people with their own flaws, desires, and quirks. Overall the book is beautifully written but you really need to pace yourself to finish.

joyinabook's review against another edition

4.0

I am giving this four stars despite the fact that at parts I had to force myself to slog through it like molasses. It was an extremely ambitious Austen era undertaking that fell short of the mark but still managed to be witty and enchanting (parden the pun) in parts. I had my mind set on giving it three stars but I found the ending so satisfying it pushed me over the top. Overall I this book could have been much better if the editors had done a better job. The pace just couldn't support it's 850 pages.