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rachel101's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
macliffe's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The 3 stars I gave this book are purely because Susanna Clark is a genius. I still can barely believe this book was written in The 21st Century. It perfectly captures the 19th or early 20th century British literary style, down to spellings and slang. The footnotes made the world feel so real, like a lost piece of history, grounded in reality yet fantastical. It could have been a perfect book.
The fatal flaw of this book is simply its length. If it had been about 300 pages like Piranesi, it would have been flawless. But 800+ pages of no plot, or at most a vague and confusing plot, does not work, at least for me. This book could have easily been condensed to half its size, and I have no clue why it’s so long and slow. I think she learned from this book because Piranesi is the perfect length while still maintaining the fantastical magic, worldbuilding, and plotless mystery that she does so well.
The fatal flaw of this book is simply its length. If it had been about 300 pages like Piranesi, it would have been flawless. But 800+ pages of no plot, or at most a vague and confusing plot, does not work, at least for me. This book could have easily been condensed to half its size, and I have no clue why it’s so long and slow. I think she learned from this book because Piranesi is the perfect length while still maintaining the fantastical magic, worldbuilding, and plotless mystery that she does so well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Racism
Minor: Antisemitism
adastrame's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have read this book about 20 years ago in German. After reading Piranesi, I felt it's time for a re-read in the language it was meant to be read in. My experience was very similar: the book has fascinating world-building and is truly *magical*, but at times it's just unbearably slow and full of what feels like filler to me. It would have been a 5/5 with a more focused, less meandering story over 500-600 pages, as opposed to 1006. It only reall gets *exciting* in the last 100 or so pages. I still really like it, and I will definitely re-watch the TV adaptation now as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement and Emotional abuse
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.
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
_david_'s review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
It's a bit tricky to put my finger on why I enjoyed this book, but its originality feels remarkably natural and familiar. The novel, despite its slow pace, excels in presenting captivating characters and events. While not all characters are likable, they are undeniably interesting and well-developed.
The language, though challenging at times, never becomes overwhelming. In contrast to other books attempting a dry, academic style, this one strikes a balance that I found surprisingly enjoyable. The story unfolds like an epic legend and I liked the historical fantasy setting combined with the magic. Something in the way that magic was written as something that old grumpy men discuss like modern academics do to science appealed to me. It's a daunting book to pick up, but I am glad I've read it.
The language, though challenging at times, never becomes overwhelming. In contrast to other books attempting a dry, academic style, this one strikes a balance that I found surprisingly enjoyable. The story unfolds like an epic legend and I liked the historical fantasy setting combined with the magic. Something in the way that magic was written as something that old grumpy men discuss like modern academics do to science appealed to me. It's a daunting book to pick up, but I am glad I've read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and War
Minor: Slavery
pvbobrien's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
nicolleschumacher's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is the longest book that I have read to date but I really enjoyed the journey of it. I found it to be very funny (the humour is very reminiscent of Jane Austen) but also interesting, definitely something that has to be reread to truly understand completely. I wish we saw more of Childermass as he was my favourite. I can see myself rereading this in the future as a comfort read as it’s not too heavy but it really engulfs you in the story and there is so much to discover and ponder on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Confinement, Sexism, and War
andromeda_1998's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is the thickest book I’ve read for quite some time and in some ways it was an overwhelming read for me since English isn’t my first language. It was a a good challenge for me and I’m glad that I have achieved it. Now on to the review, what are my thoughts about this book:
The plot
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is about England in the 19th century. The book is an alternative version of our own reality.
Once upon a time magic used to be strong and overflowing in England but over the centuries magic has slowly been disappearing all over the country. But while practicing magicians have disappeared, theoretical magicians have lived on. Mr Norrell is determined to change the magical foundations at which his reality is based. He becomes the first practicing magicians in centuries and tries to make the job respectable again. He travels to London to show England what real magic looks like but everything changes when he meets Jonathan Strange. He takes Jonathan on as his pupil and together they try to bring magic back to England, even thought they both have different views on what this means precisely.
The book has a slow start since a lot of different stories are being told throughout the book and it takes some time for them all to fit together. After 200+ story’s the pacing becomes better and around 700+ pages the story takes flight and every storyline gets connected. I enjoyed the book, a lot, but I feel like the book could have been told in less pages with the same effect. And that’s just a shame, in my opinion.
Writingstyle
The author chose to write the book in a more classical writingstyle reminiscent of the time the story takes place in. This makes the book a bit heavier to read but it does set the mood. The writer uses a lot of footnotes to further explain plot points and to deepen the worldbuilding. I did sometimes enjoy them but sometimes it did give the book sla stiffness that I associate with schoolbooks and research papers. Again it sets the tone but it does make the pacing of the book slower and the story heavier.
Characters
This book has some wonderfully complicated characters that I really enjoyed. I did find it a bit disappointing that the focus between pages 600-800 of the book was more on Jonathan, it felt like Norrell disappeared for a bit. It was especially disappointing since Norrell did do important things in that part of the book that happens largely of screen. I would have like a more 50/50 view of the characters since it felt to me like I was reading a different book in the same universe. I cannot explain it better.
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding in this book is incredibly detailed and I’m my opinion it’s the best aspect of the book. Yes, there is a lot of it to go through but it makes for a very believable world.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to more seasoned readers. It can be a bit of a challenge but it’s worth reading it.
The plot
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is about England in the 19th century. The book is an alternative version of our own reality.
Once upon a time magic used to be strong and overflowing in England but over the centuries magic has slowly been disappearing all over the country. But while practicing magicians have disappeared, theoretical magicians have lived on. Mr Norrell is determined to change the magical foundations at which his reality is based. He becomes the first practicing magicians in centuries and tries to make the job respectable again. He travels to London to show England what real magic looks like but everything changes when he meets Jonathan Strange. He takes Jonathan on as his pupil and together they try to bring magic back to England, even thought they both have different views on what this means precisely.
The book has a slow start since a lot of different stories are being told throughout the book and it takes some time for them all to fit together. After 200+ story’s the pacing becomes better and around 700+ pages the story takes flight and every storyline gets connected. I enjoyed the book, a lot, but I feel like the book could have been told in less pages with the same effect. And that’s just a shame, in my opinion.
Writingstyle
The author chose to write the book in a more classical writingstyle reminiscent of the time the story takes place in. This makes the book a bit heavier to read but it does set the mood. The writer uses a lot of footnotes to further explain plot points and to deepen the worldbuilding. I did sometimes enjoy them but sometimes it did give the book sla stiffness that I associate with schoolbooks and research papers. Again it sets the tone but it does make the pacing of the book slower and the story heavier.
Characters
This book has some wonderfully complicated characters that I really enjoyed. I did find it a bit disappointing that the focus between pages 600-800 of the book was more on Jonathan, it felt like Norrell disappeared for a bit. It was especially disappointing since Norrell did do important things in that part of the book that happens largely of screen. I would have like a more 50/50 view of the characters since it felt to me like I was reading a different book in the same universe. I cannot explain it better.
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding in this book is incredibly detailed and I’m my opinion it’s the best aspect of the book. Yes, there is a lot of it to go through but it makes for a very believable world.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to more seasoned readers. It can be a bit of a challenge but it’s worth reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
carrionkid's review against another edition
5.0
For the longest time, I thought I hated fantasy. Turns out all I needed was an impossibly dense book replicating the experience of reading a textbook because this book absolutely FLOORED me. The immersion of the universe is impeccable, the payoff is all so incredibly satisfying. The footnotes are such a perfect touch to the work and the way the threads of plot weave together is just fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Racism, and Forced institutionalization