Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susannah Clarke - 3 stars

[ShazM]

In the early 19th century Mr Norrell is the only practical magician left in England and he is determined to help win the war against France. Then another magician emerges, Jonathan Strange, and he becomes apprenticed to Mr Norrell. But they have very different ideas about magic, and fairy magic in particular, and gradually the master-pupil relationship erodes and they become in contest with each other.

I found this very readable although I'm sure it could have been shorter! I didn't like it as much as Piranesi and I think I might need to read the ending again as I'm not sure quite what the conclusion was. However, the magic was fun especially as it was used in battle.

[Joy D]

I am with you on all points. Way longer than it needed to be and would have been a better book with more focus.

[Flo]

I read this book 10 years ago and I remember I loved it...I've been wanting to do a reread, but it's such a monster!

[Jgrace]

I've always thought the book should have been published as a trilogy. It seems like such a logical and more profitable decision. Folio Society has a collector's edition that is 3 volumes.

[Robin P]

Congratulations on making it through this book! I loved it BUT I literally read it over 3 months with other books in between.

The TV version was quite good.

[Joanne]

This was a DNF for me, so cheers that you finished it

[ShazM]

To be honest, I only read it for an online book group! It was meant to be read over three months and I intended to read a chapter a night but I actually found it quite easy to keep going.