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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I "read" this book as an audio book, and I think it was probably the best way to enjoy it for me. I can see myself struggling to get through the print version, especially the long first half. However, I found the audio book superb, perfectly read and made greatly more interesting by the insertion of wonderful British sarcasm. This story wove its way around me slowly, and by the end I had really come to love it in all of its quirks and details. I even enjoyed the footnotes. Some day I will go back and read it in print, when I have long stretches of time (and perhaps some rainy days) in front of me to fully delve into this great story again.
40ish pages in, I know what the walls and floor and chairs and candles of every room looks like, but nothing about the characters.
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyable but long story of a pair of academic magicians in 19th-century England, who like so many other protagonists have trouble using their words. The book's full of Dickensian rogues and undervalued, clever women, and some amusing pratfalls with the French army. A malicious fairy wreaks havoc on some townspeople creating a devilish atmosphere reminiscent of [b:The Master and Margarita|117833|The Master and Margarita|Mikhail Bulgakov|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327867963s/117833.jpg|876183], and at one point the essence of "crazy cat lady" is literally bottled. Some favorite passages:
"Whoever heard of cats doing anything useful? Except for staring at one in a supercilious manner . . . that has a sort of moral usefulness, I suppose, in making one feel uncomfortable and encouraging sober reflection upon one's imperfections."
"Though the pork steaks are indeed quite plain, they have been fried in fat that was rendered down from the exorcised ghosts of black Welsh pigs that wander through the hills of Wales at night terrifying the inhabitants of that deplorable country! The ghostliness and ferocity of the pigs lends the steaks a wonderful flavour which is quite unlike any other."
"Lord Liverpool was exactly the sort of guest he liked -- one who admired the books but shewed no inclination to take them down from the shelves and read them."
"Whoever heard of cats doing anything useful? Except for staring at one in a supercilious manner . . . that has a sort of moral usefulness, I suppose, in making one feel uncomfortable and encouraging sober reflection upon one's imperfections."
"Though the pork steaks are indeed quite plain, they have been fried in fat that was rendered down from the exorcised ghosts of black Welsh pigs that wander through the hills of Wales at night terrifying the inhabitants of that deplorable country! The ghostliness and ferocity of the pigs lends the steaks a wonderful flavour which is quite unlike any other."
"Lord Liverpool was exactly the sort of guest he liked -- one who admired the books but shewed no inclination to take them down from the shelves and read them."
I just can't finish it. I loved the show based on this book and I really liked reading Piranesi so I thought it'd be a good read. If I keep trying to read this I will fall into a pit of book burn out I don't know when I'll ever escape. The structure of the story is borderline non existent the back and forth and random fairy tale every 5 seconds is driving me as mad as Lady Pole. For my own sanity I need to give up, and find books that are less of a chore to get through.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the worst books I have ever read. It is extremely slow. I kept reading it thinking that it must pick up at some point, but I was wrong. Don't waste your time.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perfection. Can’t believe I waited this long.