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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke
by Susanna Clarke
Sean's review
bookshelves: fantasy, historical, frequently-reread
Oct 30, 12
bookshelves: fantasy, historical, frequently-reread
Read from December 16 to 21, 2010 — I own a copy, read count: 7
I bought Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in 2005, and since then I have read it multiple times (quite a feat, considering the book's length) and written several reviews of it. I am surprised I've never reviewed it here.
JS & Mr N was a triumph when it came out in 2005, and it remains a triumph today. Susanna Clarke's wit sparkles, her prose delights and her storytelling enthrals; her many characters orate, ponder, strut and caper from page to page (to page to page to page—this is a LONG book) and ensnare the reader's fancy and tender feelings with their worries and troubles and machinations. It is a mistake to simply call this a "fantasy," as it is in reality a three-volume novel in the best tradition. My only fear is that, having put this masterpiece on paper, Clarke can have nothing more to say. I sincerely hope this is not the case.
JS & Mr N was a triumph when it came out in 2005, and it remains a triumph today. Susanna Clarke's wit sparkles, her prose delights and her storytelling enthrals; her many characters orate, ponder, strut and caper from page to page (to page to page to page—this is a LONG book) and ensnare the reader's fancy and tender feelings with their worries and troubles and machinations. It is a mistake to simply call this a "fantasy," as it is in reality a three-volume novel in the best tradition. My only fear is that, having put this masterpiece on paper, Clarke can have nothing more to say. I sincerely hope this is not the case.
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Reading Progress
| 12/16/2010 | page 47 |
|
6.0% | "I already own a physical copy of this book, which I have re-read religiously at least once a year since 2005. And yet I just bought it and am reading it AGAIN on Google eBooks. I have a sickness." |
| 12/18/2010 | page 68 |
|
9.0% | "This book is hilarious. Cracks me up constantly. I wish I could communicate that to more people. HILARIOUS." |
| 12/20/2010 | page 438 |
|
55.0% | "Wishing with all my heart that someone would make this book into a miniseries." |
| 12/20/2010 | page 482 |
|
60.0% | "One of my very favorite parts of this very favorite book: when Childermass gets unstuck from reality and performs a magic spell." |
| 07/20/2012 |
|
25.0% | "Alternating between reading one of my very favorite books (this one) and one of my former favorite books (The Shining)." | |
| 07/22/2012 |
|
39.0% | "I never seem to be able to explain to people how *funny* this book is. If I say it is occasionally even more laugh-out-loud hilarious than Pride and Prejudice, will that convince you? Say yes." | |
| 07/23/2012 |
|
100.0% | "It's over. AGAIN. *sob*" 3 comments |
Comments (showing 1-8 of 8) (8 new)
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Oh, absolutely. It's not really fair to compare a normal 5-star novel to Jonathan Strange. It breaks the curve, in more ways than one.
Apparently Clarke is working on a sequel. Have you read her short stories, The Ladies of Grace Adieu: And Other Stories?
I have read The Ladies of Gradieu, but I didn't know there was going to be an actual sequel! I hope it won't take her as long to write it as Jonathan Strange did. :P
Sean wrote: "I have read The Ladies of Gradieu, but I didn't know there was going to be an actual sequel! I hope it won't take her as long to write it as Jonathan Strange did. :P"I hope not either, or I will be too old and senile to enjoy it! :)
You recommended this to me a couple years ago. I never picked it up. Maybe it's time to bump it up the list... So glad I discovered Goodreads.
If we take some of the other books I've given five stars as a point of comparison, this one ought to have six. Or seven. At least.