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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

By Susanna Clarke

(306)

| Paperback | 9781582346038

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Book Description

The international bestseller, finally in paperback!

Time magazine’s #1 book of the year • 11 weeks and counting on the New York Times bestseller list • Shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award • Longlisted for the Booker priContinue

Critics

Book Review: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke Share

Yes, I've read a magic book. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is a fictional book about magicians set in 1800s England. “The walls of the parlour were ornamented with cheap engravings — portraits of famous criminals of the last centur ... (read full critics)

blogcritics published on Fri, 23 Dec 2011

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell By Susanna Clarke

What kind of magic can make a nearly 800-page novel seem too short? Whatever it is, debut author Susanna Clarke is possessed by it, and her astonished readers will surely hope she never recovers. Her epic history of an alternative, magical England is ... (read full critics)

bookpage published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

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30 Reviews

5 people find this helpful

Yes, I took a while to finish this as I found the beginning of this book V-E-R-Y S-L-O-W. Nevertheless, with patience and my friend constantly insisting that this was a really good book, I'm glad to say it's gothic, dark and very well worth the read if you can get past the shit-boring introduction w ... (continue)

Yes, I took a while to finish this as I found the beginning of this book V-E-R-Y S-L-O-W. Nevertheless, with patience and my friend constantly insisting that this was a really good book, I'm glad to say it's gothic, dark and very well worth the read if you can get past the shit-boring introduction which lasted over 100 pages.

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shazzpezzazz said on Feb 23, 2008 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

4 people find this helpful

I first picked up this book because the back cover described it has having elements of both Jane Austen and Tolkein. How could you not be intrigued by that? This book takes dedication to read--not only is it massive, but it's also not exactly what I would call a page turner. That said, I would de ... (continue)

I first picked up this book because the back cover described it has having elements of both Jane Austen and Tolkein. How could you not be intrigued by that? This book takes dedication to read--not only is it massive, but it's also not exactly what I would call a page turner. That said, I would definitely encourage anyone interested in historical fiction and/or fantasy to give it glance. It's very interesting, meticulously researched, and well-written.

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Amanda said on May 24, 2006 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

Slow, long and not worth the effort.

As a high school British Literature teacher, I normally enjoy prose written in the Victorian style the author pitifully tried to re-create. The only reason this novel avoided a 1 star rating was the hilarious portrayal of Napoleon Bonaparte and Lord Byron. That is it. Those were the only things I ... (continue)

As a high school British Literature teacher, I normally enjoy prose written in the Victorian style the author pitifully tried to re-create. The only reason this novel avoided a 1 star rating was the hilarious portrayal of Napoleon Bonaparte and Lord Byron. That is it. Those were the only things I even remotely enjoyed. The ending was very quick and horrible. The characters were flat and uninteresting. I basically wasted 2 weeks of my reading life forcing myself through the 846 pages of overrated jargon.

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shanetucker said on Aug 13, 2009 | Add your feedback

I just can't get it.
After more then 400 pages, I'm afraid I have to say: I give up!

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gedeoskij said on Dec 2, 2011 | Add your feedback

A Wonderful Read

Susanna Clarke here creates a charming and believable alternative to Regency England. It's the sort of book that makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea and read it straight through. The plot is captivating and full of twists, and the alternate history is endlessly entertaining. Really, every ... (continue)

Susanna Clarke here creates a charming and believable alternative to Regency England. It's the sort of book that makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea and read it straight through. The plot is captivating and full of twists, and the alternate history is endlessly entertaining. Really, everything about this book is wonderful.

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currerbell said on Oct 28, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

I think this seems to be a love it or hate it book. Personally I loved it.
Jonathan Culverhouse. Author of Underkingdom: Disco Goblins vs The Machine, a fantasy novel for children.
www.underkingdom.co.uk

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Jonathan Culverhouse said on Jul 20, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback