I felt like i was in a trance reading it. It felt like i was listening to the story being narrated in my head. It was pure music in my brain. If that made sense.
This is one of my favorite books - despite me taking about three tries to get through it. The first 200 pages seem extremely dry and dull. As soon as Jonathan Strange shows up, it gets a lot more interesting, then part 3, the Raven King, it gets REALLY good. In retrospect this seems like a deliberate choice, to deliver the history of the world in Norrell's dry academic tone, then the social stuff with Jonathan to introduce the characters, then the MAGIC really picks up. Once that clicked for me I was hooked. I am not a "plot" person, I love a long, meandering exploration of a new fantasy world, so that's probably why we had such different experiences! I really liked how the magic felt actually magical, as in, inexplicable by any other explanation. A real change from the "gun magic" a lot of fantasy has, where you could replace most spells with a gun and have the same result. Definitely try her book of short stories, the Ladies of Grace Adieu, which takes place in the same "world". They're fairy stories that were too long to be footnotes and some side stories about other magicians.
Ooh thanks for the short stories recommendation! I hadn't heard of that yet. I've also been hearing great things about her new book, Piranesi! I agree that it gets way more interesting when Strange shows up! Did you watch the mini-series?
@@OnefortheBooks I did! I liked the portrayal of Childermass and Strange, but did not really like the man with the thistledown hair. He seemed a little too villanious. From the book my impression was that he was just scatterbrained and self-centered to the point of murder which made him seem even more scary. A villain can be reasoned with but the book version was truly unpredictable.
I entirely agree with what you said about the book ending - I thought it was a bit off as well, given how devoted the couple are. I think I prefer the book overall - simply because so much of the humour didn't make its way into the show, and a few of the best scenes were cut or altered. Also, Lascelles' last scene was completely changed, and I am utterly devastated because it was one of my favourite scenes in the book! Still, when I picture the characters I'll always think of the actors in the show. That casting was amazing.
Watched the show then read the book. Loved them both!
That opening paragraph... 💜. One of my favorites in all of literary history.
I felt like i was in a trance reading it. It felt like i was listening to the story being narrated in my head. It was pure music in my brain. If that made sense.
This is one of my favorite books - despite me taking about three tries to get through it. The first 200 pages seem extremely dry and dull. As soon as Jonathan Strange shows up, it gets a lot more interesting, then part 3, the Raven King, it gets REALLY good. In retrospect this seems like a deliberate choice, to deliver the history of the world in Norrell's dry academic tone, then the social stuff with Jonathan to introduce the characters, then the MAGIC really picks up. Once that clicked for me I was hooked.
I am not a "plot" person, I love a long, meandering exploration of a new fantasy world, so that's probably why we had such different experiences! I really liked how the magic felt actually magical, as in, inexplicable by any other explanation. A real change from the "gun magic" a lot of fantasy has, where you could replace most spells with a gun and have the same result.
Definitely try her book of short stories, the Ladies of Grace Adieu, which takes place in the same "world". They're fairy stories that were too long to be footnotes and some side stories about other magicians.
Ooh thanks for the short stories recommendation! I hadn't heard of that yet. I've also been hearing great things about her new book, Piranesi!
I agree that it gets way more interesting when Strange shows up!
Did you watch the mini-series?
@@OnefortheBooks I did! I liked the portrayal of Childermass and Strange, but did not really like the man with the thistledown hair. He seemed a little too villanious. From the book my impression was that he was just scatterbrained and self-centered to the point of murder which made him seem even more scary. A villain can be reasoned with but the book version was truly unpredictable.
@@summersmith8581 That's so true!
The book was like doing your favorite chore for 1000 pages and in the end you got a pretty nice dust buster.
🤣
I always imagined Ian Holm (RIP) as Mr Norrell.
@samuellascari8056 aww he would have been a great one!
I have watched it three times and I’ll watch it again love it and all the cast are fantastic .
I watched up to the spoilers. I want to read this! I may also watch it. It’s hard when the whimsy is lost! Your channel is great!
Aw thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🤩
I entirely agree with what you said about the book ending - I thought it was a bit off as well, given how devoted the couple are.
I think I prefer the book overall - simply because so much of the humour didn't make its way into the show, and a few of the best scenes were cut or altered.
Also, Lascelles' last scene was completely changed, and I am utterly devastated because it was one of my favourite scenes in the book!
Still, when I picture the characters I'll always think of the actors in the show. That casting was amazing.
Yeah the humor in the book is definitely top notch. 👌 It's a perfect read for this time of year, makes me want to reread it again!
I had no idea there was a show!
It's worth watching! It was a cool interpretation of the story.
Love the show started reading the book