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amsswim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For lovers of magical fantasy and characters with significant interpersonal relationship issues, this is the books for you. Love the footnotes and constant character pov rotation.
Moderate: Sexism, Racism, Violence, War, Grief, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, and Death
Minor: Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Slavery, and Mental illness
meecespieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War and Death
Moderate: Slavery
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is one of the longest books I have ever read, but also one of the best. Clarke flawlessly blends historical fiction with fantasy, while taking care to write in the style of the period. I’ve heard it described as if Jane Austen wrote about magic, which feels spot on. Although this may not be for everyone, don’t be put off by the length. The ending is well worth it:)
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, War, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Death
_david_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The language, though challenging at times, never becomes overwhelming. In contrast to other books attempting a dry, academic style, this one strikes a balance that I found surprisingly enjoyable. The story unfolds like an epic legend and I liked the historical fantasy setting combined with the magic. Something in the way that magic was written as something that old grumpy men discuss like modern academics do to science appealed to me. It's a daunting book to pick up, but I am glad I've read it.
Graphic: Death, Classism, Confinement, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, War, and Sexism
Minor: Slavery
jmoxley's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Wasn’t sure if I’d have the stamina to get though this as although I like magical realism im not a fan of most fantasy genre book (except Tolkien) but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Susanna Clarke has created a meticulously detailed parallel version of England during the Napoleonic Wars which blends into the mythology of a dark age kingdom in northern England.
As an English person living in Scotland I thought a story about specifically English magic by an Oxbridge author might end up as another London-centric piece, but the story is so linked to the patina England that it couldn’t have been set anywhere else and the legacy of the Raven King’s kingdom in northern England removes the risk of a focus on the Home Counties.
Clarke use of language reinforces the creation of the worlds of polite Georgian society and dark age Yorkshire/Northumberland although I suppose some might find the occasional odd hyphenation or variant spelling irritating.
The characterisation is good- Norrell and Strange are both complicated characters and other apparently minor characters such as John Childermass, Arabella Strange, Vinuculus, Messrs Lascelles and Drawlight are convincing and at times peppered with humour.
The book cleverly weaves historical evehts snd fictional happenings together to create a unique and hugely enjoyable tale.
Moderate: Death
szuum's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Slavery and Misogyny
botanicpanic's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, War, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Gun violence, and Slavery
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, and Slavery
coballe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Death, Racism, Murder, War, and Dementia
cyberhavok's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: War, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Mental illness