Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell Review

[deralte]

I have finished Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and it was lovely. It reminded me of what Les Mis. could have been if Hugo had only limited his tangents to a few pages or footnotes;) It's sad to know that it's over, but I was quite happy with the ending so I'm of two minds about the whole thing. I expect there's nothing for it but to read it over again in a year or so to see what I think then. Oh the horror;) I loved everything about the book (and I just typed books, which sort of tells you something about the story in the first place), but one of my favourite things was the unexpected moments of humour that jumped out and made me laugh with delight. Who wouldn't be amused upon reading about Native Americans fighting at Waterloo? The prose did the same thing as the humour, suddenly throwing up some gorgeous imagery or phrasing that made me smile.

I want to read a literary analysis of the book too and get others opinions on it because it's a strange book in that none of the main characters are that admirable. Women fare the best with Mrs. Strange and Flora being at the top of the list. Segundus was the most admirable of the male characters. Everyone else was very human with all their faults (I'd be really annoyed with both Strange and Norrell in real life...). True evil in the novel lay in indifference. Those who cared too much at least had an explanation for their faults, but those who didn't care for other people and their lives... Of all the historical personages who showed up, it was certainly Wellington who pleased me the most.

It was very intricately plotted and I was pleased that it managed to fool me at least once (Stephen taking over Lost-hope took me by surprise, though of course in retrospect, it shouldn't have *g*). The Raven king business in the end has me "arrgh"ing in frustration. We're only offered as much information as the magicians, with slightly more info, and while some part of me is content with that, the other wants another book.

And I think I should stop babbling about this book now. But oh how I don't want too...

Comments

[siria]

and while some part of me is content with that, the other wants another book.

She's working on a sequel *big silly grin* I adore this book so much. I have a half-finished Big Ass Post on it somewhere on my hard-drive. *prods it* I must finish it one of these days.

[deralte.livejournal.com]

Yes, please finish it! *g* And hopefully she'll take a little less time in writing a sequel...

[casfic.livejournal.com]

*carefully averts eyes from review*

I got this for Christmas, but I must read the Amber Spyglass and Christopher Booker's Seven Basic Plots first I think. I'm glad you liked it though, I've heard nothing but good about it and am really looking forward to reading it.

[deralte.livejournal.com]

I think I can safely say you're going to love it:)

[fasterthanlight.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked this book! I remember getting to the chapter-ending sentence, "Three days later, Arabella died." and tossing the book across the room. But then it worked out so well. *g*

[deralte.livejournal.com]

That was so frustrating since you knew she wasn't dead, but it took forever for anyone to catch on to it. I think I spent the next several chapters wanting to grab any magician by the shoulders and shake some sense into them.

Ashfae

[darkcloudnymph.livejournal.com]

Totally unrelated comment but you seem to live near Fae and I want to plot a surprise package to her, but with customs forms you have to write everything on the outside and was wondering if I might send it to you and have you deliver it to the Fae. Also if you know anything she particularly misses from the USA I would like to include some touch of home type thing.

Re: Ashfae

[deralte.livejournal.com]

That's fine. Send me an email at masterzqwan at hotmail, and I'll send you back my address. She's particularly missing good hot chocolate atm. I'll let you know if I think of anything else.