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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation's past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell, whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country.
Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange.
Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men which overwhelms that between England and France.
Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange.
Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men which overwhelms that between England and France.
I started watching the BBC show and once I realized that it was based on the book- I just had to read the book. I have to say that I wish I had read the book before watching the show- I felt that the show first actually detracted from my enjoyment of the beginning of the book. I knew what was going to happen and the show is a little different and more flashy which biased my judgement. Once I reached a point in the story where I was encountering new material, my enjoyment increased. While this book is a little dense and long at times, the overall story is really great. I definitely wish that there were more stories featuring Strange and Norrell but I will just have to make due with finishing the show.
In the end, I'm glad I read this book. It was an enjoyable read that really hit on my love of magic and history.
In the end, I'm glad I read this book. It was an enjoyable read that really hit on my love of magic and history.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell this evening, two magicians bring back English magic in a Napoleonic-era romp. Norrell, an introverted scholar, hoards magical knowledge, while Strange, his outgoing pupil, dives headfirst into spell-slinging chaos. They clash over fairy bargains and forbidden magic, accidentally unleashing a sinister Gentleman with thistledown hair who kidnaps souls. Footnotes pile up like Norrell’s library, detailing magical history with dry wit. The plot meanders like a fairy road, slow but enchanting, with battles, betrayals, and a dark prophecy. It’s a hefty (1006 pages), hilarious saga for those who enjoy wizardly feuds and regency flair. Magical mayhem!
Spent 30 hours on this one. Certainly epic, amazingly realized. But if you aren't ready to listen to details upon details, it can get tedious. Don't think it would pass the Bechdel Test.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes