Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell: April's Book Club Discussion

[No Inspiration]

For me, there was a huge sense of accomplishment upon finishing this book. I don't mean this due to the length, I routinely read books of this length or longer. It was more like finally completeing a huge project.
I did not go into reading this book with much anticipation. I found the beginning to be horribly mundane, almost unbearably monotonous, really. It took a good 350-400 pages for me to decide that I might actually like to finish it. However; after paying 12.95 CAD for it, I was quite reluctant to give up entirely, and I'm extremely glad I didn't.
While admittedly not the most fast paced, or engrossing book I've ever read, JS&MN had a good payout. I really did find myself enjoying it alot toward the end.
As to the storyline, I was really hoping for more from the infamous Library of Mr Norrell. It was completely anticlimactic for me. The whole lead up to JS's encounter with the library was a huge part of the texture of the story, and I felt let down by it's reality. I'm not saying that I expected something fantastical, I just truly thought it would be a more major event. That said, I'm not sure why exactly I expected something major from this book. While I am fond of JS&MN, it's just not the type of book to give you that `wow` moment.
I definitly think this book is an acquired taste. It is certainly not for everyone, Hugo award or no. You really have to take it as a journey type of book. Do not expect a huge, spectacular ending. It just wouldn't fit. The ending is just as meandering and nonsensical as the rest of the book.
Anyway, this post has gone quite to the rambling side. Just wanted to add something to the discussion.
Lena.

[knivesout]

I'd agree completely that it's not a 'wow' book. Fantasy books tend to justify their size with great dollops of action, suspense and magic, which is why they're so fat, by and large. Clarke is not at all writing in that vein and despite the size, and physical strenght needed to grapple with that size, this is more of a gentle, quietly pleasurable reading experience than a nail-biting race.

[BookStop]

I started the book and was really enjoying it, but I have been so busy lately I can't seem to set aside a block of time to read more. *Sigh* It's just not the kind of book I can read for 5 minutes at a time and stay focused. I doubt I will get to it in time to be included in this discussion this month. *Sigh again*

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by dsmith

Sorry, but I have given up on finishing this book. I made it about halfway through, and just can't do any more. It's just not my type of book.

At halfway through a book that size, I'd say you made a good effort.

I agree with knivesout that it's a book of quiet pleasures, rather than a story with a Wow factor. (The Wow in my own case simply being that such a book was published at all.)

Considering that most fantasy readers crave ever more action and excitement in their reading, the popularity of JS&MN has surprised me. It seems that you don't need massive amounts of sex and violence to write a book that will appeal to a wide number of readers. I find that heartening.

But I can see how the style and the unsympathetic main characters could spoil the book for many readers, even those who aren't looking for something sensational to read.

Razorback -- The idea that the Thistle-haired Gentleman might be the party in question never occurred to me, but now that you mention it, it would have made a fascinating twist!

[kaneda]

Originally Posted by Razorback

As for your last question, I thought it might the Thistle-haired Gentleman.

Exactly what I thought.

[Allegra]

My 2c.

I read it a while ago. While Clarke took 10 years to write it I took 3 months to read it. Not that I had a hard time to finish it, no, far from that. I quite enjoyed it in fact. It's just not a book to devour but to savor. And I had other books to read at the same time. I appreciated the style, flavour, the subtle humour and wit, the characterization and the history of English Magic. But I did skip some footnotes and felt it got tedious here and there and could do with some trimmings especially the 1st half. I wouldn't say it's a masterpiece neither agree with what Neil Gaiman said 'unquestionably the finest English novel of the fantastic written in the last seventy years'. However it's a remarkable achievement not only in the sense of being a debut.

[Ellie]

I'm very late to this but I wanted to say this is one of my all time favorite books. I have to admit, it took me quite a few pages to actually get into it. I don't think I was hooked until the actual magic began when the statues began talking. From then on I couldn't get my nose out of it. One of the things I really enjoyed was Susanna Clarkes style of writing, as if the book were written in during the period it takes place. I found it extremely enjoyable.