A review by lameeya_
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

adventurous challenging dark funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I read a million reviews cautioning me how slow this was and so I was fully prepared for it. While the book is slow, it is brilliantly written, it would not be out of place with actual regency era literature, the writing is that strong. The story is fascinating in a more in depth, character study, let's meander and loiter around these parts way that I appreciated at most times but did grow weary at other points. It read like a gothic epic. I read about last half of the book in one day, staying up late to finish it but it took me a few days to get through the first half. Will I say the ending paid off for the 1000 pages it takes the book to reach there? Yes, more or less, but this one is about the journey and not necessarily about the destination. 4 stars instead of 5 because up until about 300 pages, I kept wanting to give up and had to convince myself to persevere on. But oh, so glad I did.