Jonathan Strange And Mr Norrell
Posted by lovelyloey on December 25, 2005
Synopsis: The year is 1806, England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation’s past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country. Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange. Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men which overwhelms the one between England and France. And their own obsessions and secret dabblings with the dark arts are going to cause more trouble than they can imagine.
Certainly the best book I’ve read this year! This is what Neil Gaiman had to say about the book:
“Unquestionably the finest English novel of the fantastic written in the last seventy years. It’s funny, moving, scary, otherworldly, practical and magical, a journey through light and shadow- a delight to read.”
He couldn’t have said it better. Precisely what I feel about the book! The myriad of spells and magic, the humour, the gripping tales of the gentleman with thistledown hair and the Raven King, the invocation of spirits and elves, the careful resurrection of the time period and the brilliance of Susanna Clarke’s imagination. These overwhelmed me as I was reading the book, and man, I have never read a better book than this! I took my time in reading this book, sporadically for a few weeks since the end of my exams. I believe one requires utmost concentration in following the plot, unlike the other novels I digest. I refrained from my bad habit of skimming and skipping sentences, and dutifully read every word, including the footnotes. Yes, she was generous with her footnotes, using them to tell the tales of minor characters mentioned instead of breaking the flow of the main story.Besides, I wanted to enjoy every bit of the 1099 pages in this paperback edition, hence.
Try reading it, you won’t regret the $19.95 (and even cheaper with 20% discount if you cut the coupon for Times and Kinokuniya). I certainly didn’t regret it!
Book meme « Ink Inc. said
[...] What are your all-time favourite books? I don’t think I have an all-time favourite. But in the recent 1-2 years, probably Empress Orchid and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell [...]
The Historian « Ink Inc. said
[...] Anyway, about the book. I guess I learnt more about Romania and Wallachia and ancient pilgrim monks guarding the head of Vlad Tepes (i.e. Vlad the Impaler i.e. Dracula) than I ever would. And the book is really enjoyable; more enjoyable than Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell if I must say. The plot is more propelling than that of Jonathan Strange, and it is told in the first person viewpoint most of the time, rather than third person in Jonathan Strange. I’m sure it’d be a very good read if you ever have the time to sit down and just read. [...]
The Ladies of Grace Adieu « Ink Inc. said
[...] satisfied with this book is an understatement. Those who have read (and completed) Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell will definitely enjoy this book as well because it’s so much more interesting. This [...]
The Ladies of Grace Adieu | Ink Inc. said
[...] satisfied with this book is an understatement. Those who have read (and completed) Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell will definitely enjoy this book as well because it’s so much more interesting. This [...]
The Historian | Ink Inc. said
[...] the Impaler i.e. Dracula) than I ever would. And the book is really enjoyable; more enjoyable than Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell if I must say. The plot is more propelling than that of Jonathan Strange, and it is told in the [...]