Buddy Read: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (7th January) - (TBD)

[Kitty-Lydia]

"At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight.

Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear."

So I'll be starting this tonight, and will be trying for a chapter a day (hopefully!) I heard about this book through the TV series that was on BBC, so I know most of the spoilers, but I will be doing a spoiler tag for anyone who stumbles across this who hasn't read/seen the book.
Feel free to join in and discuss :) I've been looking forward to reading this for ages.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

I envy you reading it for the first time. Its such an interesting book.

[Roger, Knight Radiant]

I was not a fan of this book, don't think I got all the way through it.

[Veronica]

Wow, one star from Roger and five stars from Paul. That's quite a swing, lol. Okay, I'm in! I have to see this for myself. :-)

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

I think its a marmite book . Love it or hate it. Its a slow build up and is written in a Victorian style, so won't work for everyone.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

I have this on my shelf and hope to read it soon (story of my life), probably not this month due to my stack of library books, but when I do get around to it I shall come back to this thread!

[Sam]

This is one of my favourite books ever, I hope you'll enjoy it!

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

I generally judge whether I'll like something on four people: Paul Roger, Hybrid and my friend Dustin. Why I do this is beyond me as me and Roger have been on opposite ends of the scale more than one but it's still what I go by.

[Veronica]

I love period dramas and I actually just finished reading a Thomas Hardy novel (originally published in 1874) so a more formal writing style is fine with me.

[Ryan]

I just finished reading K.W. Jeter's steampunk novel Infernal Devices, which is written in a very formal approximation of the Victorian style. It was strange because much of the subject matter is for very young adults.

[Susie]

This is sitting on my shelf and I am so tempted to try to join, especially with these mixed reviews having piqued my interest... but I just started a library book and I'm a slower reader than most. =/ I will get to it one day!! The description reminds me of The Prestige, which I love, though I'm sure it's entirely different.

[Roger, Knight Radiant]

sir Lancer wrote: "I generally judge whether I'll like something on four people: Paul Roger, Hybrid and my friend Dustin. Why I do this is beyond me as me and Roger have been on opposite ends of the scale more than o..."

That's funny, we have been complete opposites on quite a few books but we do have a decent amount in common as well, such as the Stormlight Archives and The Lightbringer series

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Interesting process Lancer. I'd say between us we'd cover quite a number of books

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

It hasn't let me down yet Paul. I think the only one we haven't really agreed on was The Man in the High Castle.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

We'll allow that

[Kitty-Lydia]

I've only read the first chapter, but so far I love it :) Most of the books I read in my early teens were Victorian, so I pretty much dived straight into the writing style. Although I do have to admit that I needed somewhere quiet to read it and let the text sink in, as the long, chunky sentences can be hard to get into if there are loads of distractions. (Currently living near a building site, so I've been reading at night when it's mainly peaceful)

[Veronica]

I'm a couple of chapters in and so far I'm loving the writing style. True, not much has actually happened yet but the flow of words is so smooth I find myself easily carried along.

[Margo]

I read this years and wouldn't mind a reread but I've committed to a few books for January. I loved parts of it. I'll be watching this thread to see what you all think of it ;-)

[Shawnie]

I can't start yet but hope to join before the end of the month.

[Kitty-Lydia]

Still enjoying this. The writing 'voice' is so distinctive that I can hear the story being almost read to me while I'm reading.

[Kitty-Lydia]

About 250 pages in. I love the little side stories that can be found in the notes. What are everyone's thoughts on the characters? The main ones, Norrell and Strange, aren't that likeable but they never really grate due to the story's 'distance' (it does read like someone's academic history essay) and hopping around characters. I think this is a great way to tell an adventure when the characters aren't doing likeable things. If it was, say, in first person, I might get sick of the characters.

[Greg]

Veronica wrote: "I love period dramas and I actually just finished reading a Thomas Hardy novel (originally published in 1874) so a more formal writing style is fine with me."

:)

[Sandy]

Greg wrote: "Veronica wrote: "I love period dramas and I actually just finished reading a Thomas Hardy novel (originally published in 1874) so a more formal writing style is fine with me."

:)"

Which Thomas Hardy did you read. I took a class a gazillion years ago called English Novel and we read Mayor of Casterbridge.

[Greg]

Sandy wrote: "Greg wrote: "Veronica wrote: "I love period dramas and I actually just finished reading a Thomas Hardy novel (originally published in 1874) so a more formal writing style is fine with me."

:)"

At the risk of making this veer off even more, I recently read Tess of the D'Urbervilles and loved it.

I did quite like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell too, especially the ending chapters, which to save spoilers I will tell you nothing about.

[Kitty-Lydia]

Greg wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Greg wrote: "Veronica wrote: "I love period dramas and I actually just finished reading a Thomas Hardy novel (originally published in 1874) so a more formal writing style is fine with..."

Veering even more, but I loved Tess as well :) Thomas Hardy writes quite stunning scenes about the countryside.

Back onto topic, is there any side stories (the stories in the notes) that were people's favourite? I quite liked the tale at the beginning about (view spoiler)[ the murder that one of the statues witnessed (hide spoiler)] as well as the story about the magic ring that was lost.

[Kitty-Lydia]

I am almost near the end of the book, will probably rate it 5 stars :)

I believe this is never answered in the book, I know it wasn't in the tv series, but what does everyone think happened to the Raven King?

I believe that... (view spoiler)[As quite a few times it is made out that the Raven King no longer wishes to bother with England and magic, and that English magic has been forgotten, perhaps the Raven King himself has forgotten his memories of everything, that he has lost his memories and is now wandering about somewhere in the human or fairy realm. (hide spoiler)]

[Veronica]

Sandy wrote: "Which Thomas Hardy did you read. I took a class a gazillion years ago called English Novel and we read Mayor of Casterbridge. "

Sorry, Sandy, don't know why I'm just now getting a notification about your post. :-(

I read Far From the Madding Crowd. I had recently watched the movie adaptation (2015 version) and was inspired to read the book. I liked Bathsheba better in the movie than in the book. I've heard though that this was one of Hardy's least depressing books so I'm hesitant to read anything else by him.

[Veronica]

Kitty-Lydia wrote: "I am almost near the end of the book, will probably rate it 5 stars :)

I believe this is never answered in the book, I know it wasn't in the tv series, but what does everyone think happened to the..."

I like your theory about the Raven King!

I loved this book. It got a rare five stars from me. I savored it slowly over about a month and a half. It was just lovely and bittersweet. I'm planning to watch the BBC adaptation soon.

[Kitty-Lydia]

Veronica wrote: "Kitty-Lydia wrote: "I am almost near the end of the book, will probably rate it 5 stars :)

I believe this is never answered in the book, I know it wasn't in the tv series, but what does everyone t..."

The adaptation is very good. I definitely recommend it. The locations and costumes are so well designed. The Gentleman with the Thistle Down hair is also really creepy.

Edit: Finally rated and reviewed the book. Finished it last month, but went on holiday so did not have a chance to update my goodreads shelf. Rated it 5 stars. A brilliant book. I'm going to have to look for other books by Susanna Clarke. Has anyone else read her other stories, and what did you think of them?