Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Jonathan Strange & il Signor Norrell by Susanna Clarke

4 reviews

nefariousbee's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

almost a thousand pages and I keep asking myself, what was this all for? I thought that there would be some major reveal, a plot twist, something majestic to make up for that long ass set up but. there wasn't. questions were not answered, it didn't even really *end*, no big character arc was finished... I don't know. I don't know why I bothered to finish this. I guess it's kind of easy to read. and it's atmospheric sometimes. but don't read this for the characters, don't read it for the magic system (there isn't one), don't read it for the plot... 
the imagery and some moments were really strong. I can't deny that and I don't want to. but I just can't figure out why there needs to be so much of it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Racism, Sexism, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Death of parent

Minor: Gore, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

lizziaha's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.5

This book reads like a classic. I’ve seen it described as a slow burn but I’m not sure it’s burning towards anything really. The author clearly has mastery over characterization and tone, but I found it boring. I wished there had been more focus on the women of the story. And I wished that the characters did anything. There is never really a moment that the pace quickens. There is hardly a climax and even less of a conclusion. It wasn’t a bad way to spend 21 hours, but I probably wouldn’t reread. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, and Classism

Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, Antisemitism, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual assault

jessthanthree's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Racism, Sexism, and War

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Murder

Minor: Slavery, Transphobia, and Death of parent

kathleencoughlin's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a cross between historical fiction and fantasy that follows these two men as they research magical history and practice and attempt to carve out a place for magic in England. I enjoyed reading about the eccentric magicians, but I think it's the secondary characters who really bring the story to life. The book is quite long, can be slow at times, and is heavily character-driven so I hesitate to recommend it to most, but for the right audience it is a delight. I loved the additional lore and context added through footnotes and thought it was a clever way to bring in more info and mirror the magical texts the characters might be reading.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Animal death, Sexism, Gaslighting, War, and Classism

Minor: Death of parent and Murder