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vaguelyredhead's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, and Slavery
Minor: Sexism and Antisemitism
readingelli's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Hangingfraeyalise's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a lovely, lovely story that exists in our world with us, and what a pleasure it is to exist at the same time.
This book will stay with me for a long time. It was very detailed and long winded, but the details could not be cut without substantially changing the story and making it worse.
Everything builds so slowly, it moves like a thunderstorm.
The ending made me cry, all my feelings are very complicated about it, but I am happy with the ending and how everything wrapped up.
I'm so grateful that we, the Readers, got to see the entire story with all the parts.
I was a bit intimidated by this book because of the length, but I am so glad I found the courage to begin it. What a world. What a story.
This book will stay with me for a long time. It was very detailed and long winded, but the details could not be cut without substantially changing the story and making it worse.
Everything builds so slowly, it moves like a thunderstorm.
The ending made me cry, all my feelings are very complicated about it, but I am happy with the ending and how everything wrapped up.
I'm so grateful that we, the Readers, got to see the entire story with all the parts.
I was a bit intimidated by this book because of the length, but I am so glad I found the courage to begin it. What a world. What a story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, and War
In a book set in the 1800s England during the Napoleonic Wars with one of the main characters being a Fairy with no regard for human life, there is a fair amount of horrors that come with it. Also in a book with over 1000 pages, there's no way to have a story without some potentially triggering content. I will say Clarke does an excellent job of talking about sensitive topics, and mentions of some of the more horrible things, while blunt on purpose, are thankfully brief.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
adverb17's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A great version of a great genre combination! Clarke did her homework to write like it's the 1800s; as far as I can tell through the voice the social commentary is poignant and funny (a few questionable words were used). Well-done characters, intrigue, and moral grayness. I was glad to be in this world for as long as this book was; really it needs more length/different pacing in the ending to give a more satisfying conclusion to all that build-up. I like how the magic system isn't strictly defined--makes it almost dark academia thematically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Blood, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia and Slavery
spreadabook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
I got through a thousand and six pages for this bloody thing to make me cry on the last page. I don't think I've enjoyed a book this much in years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Rape
amsswim's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. Scratches the same itch as Good Omens does for me in some ways. I do attribute it to getting me back into fantasy, I started this last year and got 40% through then my hold went up. Finally was able to finish it now and I'm happy I did.
For lovers of magical fantasy and characters with significant interpersonal relationship issues, this is the books for you. Love the footnotes and constant character pov rotation.
For lovers of magical fantasy and characters with significant interpersonal relationship issues, this is the books for you. Love the footnotes and constant character pov rotation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
meecespieces's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Slavery
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“This is to be mortal, and seek the things beyond morality.”
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is one of the longest books I have ever read, but also one of the best. Clarke flawlessly blends historical fiction with fantasy, while taking care to write in the style of the period. I’ve heard it described as if Jane Austen wrote about magic, which feels spot on. Although this may not be for everyone, don’t be put off by the length. The ending is well worth it:)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is one of the longest books I have ever read, but also one of the best. Clarke flawlessly blends historical fiction with fantasy, while taking care to write in the style of the period. I’ve heard it described as if Jane Austen wrote about magic, which feels spot on. Although this may not be for everyone, don’t be put off by the length. The ending is well worth it:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
_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