JS&Mr.N is my favorite book but it's definitely not for everyone and your observations are spot on. I think people also need to be prepared for the writing in the 19th-century style of Austen/Dickens. I knew I was going to love it when a friend first described it as "England during the Napoleonic wars, but if magic were real." If the style and premise doesn't grip you, then it's going to be a tough row to hoe.
Totally agree with you, love her writing, if she writes a phone-book I will read it and will read every book she ever writes. I wish she would write something else than fantasy as I don't like fantasy books. I did like Piranesi so different I really loved it. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell I liked the beginning and the middle but totally disliked the big crescendo ending.
Absolutely described my own experience of reading this book. Your ‘baggy’ middle comment was so accurate. I found myself sliding towards boredom at certain times and actually feeling guilty about it. I wanted to like this book more than I did. Susanna Clarke’s characterisation and world building is without doubt utterly compelling but the plot lacked cohesion and my interest waned. That said I did finish it. Will I read it again ? I don’t think so.
just finished this book tonight. i completely agree with your assessment. i think this is a book that i personally do not love, but i respect it. the way the book was crafted and written gave it a lot of points for me. unlike most fantasy i read, the plot did not have to be super compelling due to the writing just being so enjoyable. just being able to kinda bask in the world and soak it in was enjoyable. i wouldn't call it a cozy read but i felt cozy reading it.
I read this book over six months earlier this year. I think the (very) slow place I chose for it really helped me not notice your valid criticisms of it.
Currently in volume 2, chapter 30, 40% done and yup, hitting the part where I’m bored to tears. Stopping at this point and seriously considering jumping to volume 3 so I can finish it before it’s due back to the library. Am listening to a few YT reviews and came across yours. I loved Piranesi, read the book then listened on audio (btw, Ejifor Chewitel-sp? Does a wonderful reading) a few months later and still enjoyed the storytelling and, yes, the writing is amazing. This one JS&MN has some great moments but it’s just tooooooooo loooooong and loses my interest.
I remember reading this book when it came out and loving it - I'm a bit afraid of picking it up again because of its size, though, which is a shame, because I think that historical fantasy has become one of my favorite genres. My favorite one of the last few years is The Witches of New York, I thought it was the perfect mix of historical facts, atmosphere and magic.
I agree with your evaluation. (But the Spouse is shaking is head and saying he wasn't bored for a moment and it is clearly a 5 star book.) I especially like that it felt like Victorian prose. I have read so many 19th Century authors that when I get historical fiction set in that era I usually hate them because the tone is wrong. But Susanna Clarke got it right. I rated Piranesi 5 stars though, but I think maybe I was a little bit generous with that because it was, at the time, the best book I had read in a long, sad, while. There's a short story collection you might want to check out. The stories are all set in the Strange&Norrell world. It's called The Ladies of Grace Adieu.
I got frustrated and bored while reading this book, but once I was finished I started appreciating it more. Like, I will never reread it--but I'm glad that I did stick with it to the end. Ladies of Grace Adieu is a story collection set in the universe of JS&MN that I remember liking a lot, though--so if you can find a copy, it's worth it. Since it's short stories, it's a lot tighter than this book.
You’ve just given me my October read! Thanks, great review!
JS&Mr.N is my favorite book but it's definitely not for everyone and your observations are spot on. I think people also need to be prepared for the writing in the 19th-century style of Austen/Dickens. I knew I was going to love it when a friend first described it as "England during the Napoleonic wars, but if magic were real." If the style and premise doesn't grip you, then it's going to be a tough row to hoe.
Would love to see a video on those long books that you love.
Ooo! Maybe a top ten 800 plus page books?
Yes, please! @@rororeads
@@rororeads DO IT LAD @rororeads
@@rororeadsYes, please and thank you!
@@rororeadsYes!!! That would be a great video 👏🏽
Totally agree with you, love her writing, if she writes a phone-book I will read it and will read every book she ever writes. I wish she would write something else than fantasy as I don't like fantasy books. I did like Piranesi so different I really loved it. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell I liked the beginning and the middle but totally disliked the big crescendo ending.
Absolutely described my own experience of reading this book. Your ‘baggy’ middle comment was so accurate. I found myself sliding towards boredom at certain times and actually feeling guilty about it. I wanted to like this book more than I did. Susanna Clarke’s characterisation and world building is without doubt utterly compelling but the plot lacked cohesion and my interest waned. That said I did finish it. Will I read it again ? I don’t think so.
I too love long books and I can not lie! When Piranesi was published I snapped it up as J. Strange & Mr. N haunts me since published.
I’ve always been curious about JS&MN but Piranesi has marred that idea 😂
It does sound bloody marvellous though
P is nothing at all like JS&MN. Since 2004 JS&MN has haunted me by a certain storyline. Go ahead & try it
just finished this book tonight. i completely agree with your assessment. i think this is a book that i personally do not love, but i respect it. the way the book was crafted and written gave it a lot of points for me. unlike most fantasy i read, the plot did not have to be super compelling due to the writing just being so enjoyable. just being able to kinda bask in the world and soak it in was enjoyable. i wouldn't call it a cozy read but i felt cozy reading it.
I read this book over six months earlier this year. I think the (very) slow place I chose for it really helped me not notice your valid criticisms of it.
Currently in volume 2, chapter 30, 40% done and yup, hitting the part where I’m bored to tears. Stopping at this point and seriously considering jumping to volume 3 so I can finish it before it’s due back to the library. Am listening to a few YT reviews and came across yours. I loved Piranesi, read the book then listened on audio (btw, Ejifor Chewitel-sp? Does a wonderful reading) a few months later and still enjoyed the storytelling and, yes, the writing is amazing. This one JS&MN has some great moments but it’s just tooooooooo loooooong and loses my interest.
I remember reading this book when it came out and loving it - I'm a bit afraid of picking it up again because of its size, though, which is a shame, because I think that historical fantasy has become one of my favorite genres. My favorite one of the last few years is The Witches of New York, I thought it was the perfect mix of historical facts, atmosphere and magic.
I agree with your evaluation. (But the Spouse is shaking is head and saying he wasn't bored for a moment and it is clearly a 5 star book.) I especially like that it felt like Victorian prose. I have read so many 19th Century authors that when I get historical fiction set in that era I usually hate them because the tone is wrong. But Susanna Clarke got it right. I rated Piranesi 5 stars though, but I think maybe I was a little bit generous with that because it was, at the time, the best book I had read in a long, sad, while. There's a short story collection you might want to check out. The stories are all set in the Strange&Norrell world. It's called The Ladies of Grace Adieu.
I would like to know your opinion on author Jess Kidd’s books.
Been meaning to read “himself” for ages.
He would find Pynchon a nightmare. LOL.
I loved it.
I got frustrated and bored while reading this book, but once I was finished I started appreciating it more. Like, I will never reread it--but I'm glad that I did stick with it to the end. Ladies of Grace Adieu is a story collection set in the universe of JS&MN that I remember liking a lot, though--so if you can find a copy, it's worth it. Since it's short stories, it's a lot tighter than this book.
Will you review The Fraud by Zadie Smith?
I hope to one day.