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A review by manuphoto
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
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
4.0
Ha, so the British had help from magicians to defeat Napoleon. This explains a lot! I’ll have to revise my podcast episodes on the emperor’s fall.
Of course, I’m only kidding, but I must say the historical setting of this novel was both captivating and instructive. Susanna Clarke wrote it in a way that I found readable, entertaining, and engaging.
Of course, I’m only kidding, but I must say the historical setting of this novel was both captivating and instructive. Susanna Clarke wrote it in a way that I found readable, entertaining, and engaging.
First, I have to admit that I’m usually not fond of magic in books. I often find it gratuitous and more about wowing the reader than advancing the story. But that’s not the case here. Clarke integrated magic in a clever, plot-driven way that I enjoyed immensely. It’s the exact opposite of some other novels set in the 19th century that I’ve read, where magic is sparse and, when it does appear, isn’t very engaging (looking at you, Babel). Here, it’s engrossing, well-executed, and propels both the plot and character development.
In many ways, this novel feels quintessentially British. I mean, the Duke of Wellington and Lord Byron make appearances—could it be more British? This might be off-putting for readers less familiar with English literature or at least the English relationship with literature and history. While it doesn’t prevent enjoyment of the book, having some familiarity with English culture and history certainly adds to the experience.
Is the novel too long? Perhaps, but I didn’t mind it. It’s well-structured, with short, organized chapters, making it surprisingly readable despite the dated vocabulary and the many, many footnotes. On that note (ha!), I didn’t particularly care for the footnotes. While they provide interesting information and expand the universe, I found them distracting, and they didn’t always mesh well with the storytelling.
In many ways, this novel feels quintessentially British. I mean, the Duke of Wellington and Lord Byron make appearances—could it be more British? This might be off-putting for readers less familiar with English literature or at least the English relationship with literature and history. While it doesn’t prevent enjoyment of the book, having some familiarity with English culture and history certainly adds to the experience.
Is the novel too long? Perhaps, but I didn’t mind it. It’s well-structured, with short, organized chapters, making it surprisingly readable despite the dated vocabulary and the many, many footnotes. On that note (ha!), I didn’t particularly care for the footnotes. While they provide interesting information and expand the universe, I found them distracting, and they didn’t always mesh well with the storytelling.
On the other hand, the cast of characters worked very well for me. Every single one had a purpose and was distinct, making it easy to visualize the people and situations.
Overall, an excellent fantasy novel with strong characterizations, a well-developed plot, and top-notch writing. I enjoyed it more than I expected—quite rare for an almost 900-page book. Highly recommended.
Overall, an excellent fantasy novel with strong characterizations, a well-developed plot, and top-notch writing. I enjoyed it more than I expected—quite rare for an almost 900-page book. Highly recommended.