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missbryden's review against another edition
4.0
First, to judge a book by its cover: I love this cover, hardback, cloth-covered, no dust jacket, words and colored image embedded.
Set in the same world as [b:Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|14201|Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell|Susanna Clarke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1357027589l/14201._SY75_.jpg|3921305]. Several make comment on the situation of females, more so than that book did.
"The Ladies of Grace Adieu" featuring Jonathan, Arabella and her brother. About three lady magicians who say, and show, that they could teach Jonathan something.
"On Lickerish Hill" written in an even older style (set in 17th century) complete with alternate spellings, a retelling of Rumplestiltskin. Although I was disappointed that it didn't actually show Miranda Sowreston (the narrator of her own history) telling the fairy his name. Following the inclusion of historical persons: Mr. John Aubrey.
"Mrs Mabb" recreation of Queen Mab. Protagonist Venetia Moore's persistence seen as (feminine) madness/hysterics.
"The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse" The fairy lady's foretelling embroidery made me think of the cushions embroidered with secret messages in [b:Curtsies & Conspiracies|15723286|Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School, #2)|Gail Carriger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1359660588l/15723286._SY75_.jpg|21398040], book 2 of Gail Carriger's Finishing School series.
"Mr Simonelli or the Fairy Widower" In description (and having a male protagonist) reminds me more of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
"Tom Brightwind or How the Fairy Bridge was Built at Thoresby" The footnotes are back! I was looking for them in "Mr Simonelli", it reminded me so much of JS&MN. This story makes less comment on feminine life in this world, the women are more background again as in JS&MN, although "Mr Simonelli" was a little like that, too.
"Antickes and Frets" Deadly embroidery.
"John Uskglass and the Cumbrian Charcoal Burner" Fun tale, bringing the Raven King down to deal with a commoner who doesn't even know who he is.
my Pinterest board of references
Set in the same world as [b:Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell|14201|Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell|Susanna Clarke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1357027589l/14201._SY75_.jpg|3921305]. Several make comment on the situation of females, more so than that book did.
"The Ladies of Grace Adieu" featuring Jonathan, Arabella and her brother. About three lady magicians who say, and show, that they could teach Jonathan something.
"On Lickerish Hill" written in an even older style (set in 17th century) complete with alternate spellings, a retelling of Rumplestiltskin. Although I was disappointed that it didn't actually show Miranda Sowreston (the narrator of her own history) telling the fairy his name. Following the inclusion of historical persons: Mr. John Aubrey.
"Mrs Mabb" recreation of Queen Mab. Protagonist Venetia Moore's persistence seen as (feminine) madness/hysterics.
"The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse" The fairy lady's foretelling embroidery made me think of the cushions embroidered with secret messages in [b:Curtsies & Conspiracies|15723286|Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School, #2)|Gail Carriger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1359660588l/15723286._SY75_.jpg|21398040], book 2 of Gail Carriger's Finishing School series.
"Mr Simonelli or the Fairy Widower" In description (and having a male protagonist) reminds me more of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
"Tom Brightwind or How the Fairy Bridge was Built at Thoresby" The footnotes are back! I was looking for them in "Mr Simonelli", it reminded me so much of JS&MN. This story makes less comment on feminine life in this world, the women are more background again as in JS&MN, although "Mr Simonelli" was a little like that, too.
"Antickes and Frets" Deadly embroidery.
"John Uskglass and the Cumbrian Charcoal Burner" Fun tale, bringing the Raven King down to deal with a commoner who doesn't even know who he is.
my Pinterest board of references
bennought's review against another edition
2.0
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed with this book. Clarke's novel, [b:Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell|14201|Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell|Susanna Clarke|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317066128s/14201.jpg|3921305], was fantastic. This collection of stories, on the other hand, was a bit silly, fairly boring, and generally not at all entertaining in the way that the novel was. A few of the stories, especially towards the end, captured that same flair for wit, humor, and imaginative world-building. The rest were, sadly, just plain boring. And while I love the conceit she has in both works of them being pretended works of non-fiction (in this case, a scholarly collection of contemporary stories regarding fairies, in the other of a historical chronicle), the writing-style of most of these stories, and even the plots and characters themselves, were frustratingly simple and uninteresting. The few stories that did shine, in my opinion, were able to do so because she was writing more in the style of her novel--which is a prosaic, if somewhat 18th century historian style.
hannah_gunn's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
frida_epilogo's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
felixculpa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
nmorin's review against another edition
5.0
I loved these. All the best parts of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell w/o the length (though I might reread that given all the free time we have now.) Very funny and charming.
cwebb's review against another edition
1.0
Didn't finish. Barely started. I can't stand the writing, this pseudo-medieval boring and longwinded storytelling where there is little story, no movement, not anything fun.
persistent_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Some delightfully strange and oft-times creepy stories. My favorite is the one where the main character calls fairies - "Pharisees."
judyapneeb's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, I need more Ms. Clarke. I need more. I don't want to be one of those fans that demands things and I truly respect your right to write in your own way but....
I love the world you have created and I wish to explore it more.
I love the world you have created and I wish to explore it more.
small_margin's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of short stories that makes me wish a lot of them are longer. Is that a success or a disappointment? I go back and forth..