2012 Group Read discussions: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell-read? Going to read? No spoilers please!

[Jeanne]

Have you read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell? Or are you planning to? Spoiler free comments only please!

[[deleted user]]

I've had it on my shelf for some time now, think I will give it a go.

[Candiss]

I've had it at home and unread for years. If nothing intrudes, I intend to read it with the group in March.

[Weenie]

Read it - I found it different as it didn't seem to fit into any standard category. Enjoyed it though.

[Eli]

I have just ordered it and is planning to read it along with the group.

[Sam]

I have just requested it from the library. It sounds very interesting. I hope if is available soon.

[Sandra]

I listened to it last month. It was interesting and enjoyable, but very long.

[Anne]

I'm hoping to have time to re-read it. I loved it the first time I read it.

[L.E.]

I read it three years ago when my son was three months old - it kept me company for many late nights - brilliant read - might have to pick it up again

[Kevin]

I'm might read this.

[Jon]

I read this three years ago (click here for my review). I also listened to it (and loved the voice actor who read it). I recently bought it for my Nook (so I can easily search through and reread sections of it).

I will try to join in the discussion, but will probably not re-read it.

[Becca]

I think I'll try and read it :) Have had it sitting on my shelf staring at me for a while so now seems like the perfect time!

[Joseph]

Read it a few years back and enjoyed it; I won't reread it, but I'll try to chime in when I can.

[Shannon]

Read and enjoyed it years ago. Feels like a good time for a reread. :)

[Jasmine M]

I'm still not sure I want to read it or not.

In terms of movies, does it look or sound like "The Prestige" or " The Illusionist" I like them both

[Katie]

Bought it last month at my local bookstore. I think I'll read it before bed each night. :)

[Lara]

This has been in my library for a while. I'm planning to read it.

[John]

I listened to and audio book version several years ago. I enjoyed it, though a previous commenter pointed out, it is quite long (according to Amazon the paper back clocks in at 1024 pages, a even power of 2, coincidence?).

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I have this on my iPod, I shall try to make time to listen. Bought it as a bargain, no idea what it's like though!

[Janny]

Been waiting for the moment to give my copy a whirl. First time in awhile the BoTM has been something I hadn't already read too long ago to discuss without a reread.

[KimM]

Currently listening to the audiobook :)

[Katy]

I've had this one on my shelf for a few years. March sounds like a good time to read it.

[meleah]

I've had this book for a while and never got around to reading it before now. I'm about 1/3 of the way through it and I'm going to try to finish it for the discussion, but honestly I think it's kind of boring and I'm having trouble staying interested.

[Cheryl]

I just picked up this title from the library--I will be listening to an unabridged version. I worked in a library for years and have been tempted to get this book before but never did. I am hoping these book clubs will get me reading books I wouldn't have got around to before.

Update 2/13/12
I've just started it and I am having trouble staying focused on the reader. As others have stated...it's kinda boring even when someone else is doing the reading.
Update 2/21/12
Not going to finish this, can't stay interested. Sorry.

[K.A.]

I was going to join in & read this one, but I'm still struggling through A Song of Fire & Ice - if I manage to finish it by March I may join in. People tell me it (SongFI)gets easier/faster, so I'll cross my fingers - I'm about 1/3 of the way through right now.

[Traci]

Jasmine wrote: "I'm still not sure I want to read it or not.

In terms of movies, does it look or sound like "The Prestige" or " The Illusionist" I like them both"

Did you know The Prestige is also a book?

This book is different but similar I guess. I read it awhile ago and might reread it because I don't remember it too good. It's also similar to The Night Circus and strange as it might seem the movie Amadeus, in the idea of one sided hatred and jealousy.

[Tad]

I got about a third of the way through it and I just couldn't finish it. It wasn't bad, just slow. I don't think I'm ready for another attempt.

[Jasmine M]

Traci wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "I'm still not sure I want to read it or not.

In terms of movies, does it look or sound like "The Prestige" or " The Illusionist" I like them both"

Did you know [book:The Prestige|..."
thank you, and no I didn't know it's a book, I liked the movie so hopefully I'll like this book

[Elizabeth]

I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, so I'll give it a shot this march.

[Sam]

I collected from the library today so will give it a go, all 1006 pages.

[Kate]

I've had it for a while, I just need some time to sit down with it.

[Phil]

I tried to like this book I really did but I could only make it half way through before given up as it was so long, dull and boring. To give it another chance, I even listened to the whole audio book version but I only found that to be a labour-intensive journey that I had to force myself to hang in there to listen to the end.

[Jeff]

I don't plan to read it. My wife read it and complained that it was over 1000 pages of which only the last 150 were really compelling.

[Joseph]

Jaq wrote: "Lord of the Rings has been called long and boring...I'll keep an open mind."

I think it comes down to your tolerance for the language of 19th century comedies of manners. Mine of which, apparently, is quite high because I did enjoy the book.

[Phil]

I had no issue with the books length or language, it was just a poor story. Could have benefited with sever editing.

[Jim]

Phil wrote: "I tried to like this book I really did but I could only make it half way through before given up as it was so long, dull and boring. To give it another chance, I even listened to the whole audio bo..."

I couldn't get into it in either format. One thing that kept getting to me was the footnotes. Sometimes they were pages long & often more interesting than the story.

[Bill]

Phil wrote: "I tried to like this book I really did but I could only make it half way through before given up as it was so long, dull and boring. To give it another chance, I even listened to the whole audio bo..."

I'm not sure it's a book for fantasy lovers. I see it more as an historical fiction or alt. history or a cultural fantasy. It has magic, sure, but it's almost used as a power metaphor or a means to advance the plot. I think it's more about what the early 19th century English were like and uses a number of literary styles from 19th century authors like Dickens and Austen as a means. The footnotes almost put magic on a scientific basis, science as a 19th century discipline. Even the Faery aspects were most English and as such were real to the period and not really fantasy. I don't think it deals with good vs evil, like most fantasy, but more with logic vs emotion sort of like Kirk vs Spock, but much grayer.

Personally I found the prose wonderful, and also the pictures painted in nearly overwhelming detail. I don't think it's a book you can read once for story and engaging characters. It's one of those books than can be read several times concentrating on different aspects. For me it needs to be. I never really get such books on 1 read.

[Leah]

I read this book years ago. Every day it took me to finish the book, I cursed my 'must finish a book no matter how bad it is and how much I hate it' self.

The story is bad, the plot goes nowhere slowly, the prose is a pretentious version of trying to be 19th century literature, the characters are not very well developed, and the footnotes are ridiculous. Like someone said above, only the last 100 pages or so are interesting in any way.

I'm always flabbergasted at how highly people rate this book.

[Mitchell]

I started this one a couple of years ago, made it maybe just about halfway through before giving up on it. I enjoyed it and thought the footnotes were nice, but for a book this long I like to have characters you can care about or be interested in; in this I found the characters a little flat.

Having said that, I always fancied going back and finishing it some time. This might be a good time to do it.

[Dana]

I'm planning on reading it, if I can finish the third Malazon book in time to start with the group. It sounds pretty interesting to me. Looking forward to it.

[Heather]

There are many books I never wanted to end, but this was not one of them. That said, it is an amazing book. The amount of detail in incredible. Fictional footnotes that show meticulous research. I think it's like Herodotus, you can't read it unless you've alread read it. Having made it through, and looking back on it, I like it better now, and may have to give it another try.

[Jennifer]

I tried it once before, and couldn't get through the first chapter. By happy accident I picked it up again from the library a week ago, and I'm picking my way through it. It's not light reading.

[Jennifer]

Jaq wrote: "It's interesting to see the polarised opinions on this one. I wonder if there is a cultural leaning? I'm familiar with the area depicted as well as the magical societies that actually do exist, so ..."

That's an interesting detail. I didn't realise that it was historically based. It makes the story that much more interesting.

[Brianna]

I started reading this a few days ago because I wanted to give myself plenty of time to finish - I can be a slow reader with long, historical books like this. I was intrigued right from the beginning as I have been living in the north east of England for about 5 months (very close to Newcastle) and just visited London and York last week. I love that I can easily picture many of the places mentioned in the book and that the historical aspects are relevant to where I am currently living. It's an interesting and enjoyable coincidence for me - like I was meant to read the book at this very point in my life. If I had started it 6 months ago, I might not have been so keen. As for the prose, I am enjoying it so far and the footnotes are an interesting touch as well. I'm excited to see how the story progresses.

[Ray]

I'm another one that has had this on the shelf for quite some time. I've started it a couple of times, but something else (new Malazan, Abercrombie, or new-to-me Glen Cook) always seems to intrude, possibly because this hardcover is a bit much to tote around. Hopefully, the group read will be the incentive I seem to need.

[Sandra]

Jaq wrote: "I'm juggling a few review and critique reads with trying to get further along in this one, when does the group read officially start>"

March 1.

[Lara]

Wow! I have the ebook version and didn't realize it is so long. 1000 pages?

[Razmatus]

we got it at the bookstore I work at, never thought to check it out, but will check on it the next day at work haha :)

[Joseph]

It is not a short book.

[Alley]

I've had the book for a while. Started it like 3 times but couldn't get into it. I'll give it one more try, but no promises.