Rudy R > Recent Status Updates

What do these interludes establish that isn't covered in the main body of the text? ...but at least they don't contain anything horrific that I've noticed (could be wrong on that score too, who knows)

Ace is totally correct to call out the Doctor for using weapons of mass destruction "if someone else carries them on their behalf". Also I wonder what Sophie Aldred thought of s11.

As per usual, 13 and her companions are on point in extended media. I love how they all give Ryan the characterization of "engine guy" always wanting to know how alien tech works.

As far as I can tell we didn't need that prelude AT FUCKING ALL. And it was gross for no reason.

Also the best chapter so far is the one with Chantelle and Kim Fortune, just saying. Ace is so BORING when she's rich. Wealth is one of those elements that just slaughters tension in its sleep.

Why did Sophie Aldred decide "I know how I'll lead off my fun sci-fi romp! A character running from a total skeevy perv!" Seriously. Not what I was expecting from the goddamn prelude. Why is this here?

I think Lacelles' fate is weirdly contrived. tho maybe that's because his characterization suddenly manifested for a few scenes past like the 2/3 mark

This is a long one and that may be a mark against it but at the same time every time I press play I'm like "ahh yes :D"

The montage of Strange going stir crazy on purpose feels very much like the beginning of the book.

I think I've acclimated to this book. I still like it though.

Oooohhhhhhhh. Oh shit!

War is hell...

This book is getting me through the absolute fuckery going on in the US right now.

So evidently while the war was on and the king was getting pixie-led, Drawlight was running a con?! People have been paying "Jonathan Strange" apparently incomprehensible sums to teach them magic!

That was utterly buck wild!!!

The Valentich case is also discussed in Bob Scheaffer's Bad UFOs (pp. 50-55). That book was published 6 years after this one, so I can forgive Kean (and, for that matter, Richard F. Haines, PhD, who wrote this passage) for not having access to the documents Sheaffer referenced that suggested Valentich crashed into the water rather than vanishing outright. After all, Sheaffer did say it was recent in his book...

My copy is 846 pages, and I'm having great fun marking all my favorite footnotes

Now I have the big chonker of a book! Which means in part that I can do this!

While it couldn't be me siding with Sir Walter, I can see Arabellas logic. She grew up in this restrictive society and acts like it and thinks like it and tbh when have you seen a character do that since 2004?

Also i did spot the time skip, so presumably most of a year passed without incident.

Yes, I did buy a physical copy of this book even though I haven't finished yet, because I love the setting and style that much. I just get lost in some of those footnotes, man...

I love existing in this world so much. I love learning the bits of folklore in this alternate England, like that ruined buildings belong to the Raven King like he's a spirit or fairy.

Random English people thinking Stephen Black is a Nigerian Prince! I kinda think Clarke included that on purpose.

Jonathan Strange's father reminds me of the worst customers I've ever had. But at least the narrative agrees he's a shitbag.

We do not stan Christopher Drawlight in this house. He hurt an innocent cat for no other reason than it had white fur and he was wearing black at the time.

I literally just started last night but the vibes are SO GOOD and I can't wait to jump back in. This is exactly what Sweet and Simple Kind couldn't achieve. If you said Susanna Clarke was a fan of Austen and Bronte and the like I would believe you.