Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Review | Nearly 20 Years Later

Yep! It's been almost 20 years since Strange & Norrell was first published, and I finally read it. Turns out, it's a work of genius.

[@Portponky]

I read this recently, I thought it was particularly brilliant. It's very unique, unlike anything I've read. It's certainly a slow burner though, and not for a more casual reader. The level of detail and research that went into it - especially into the sprawling footnotes cross-referencing dozens of other (fictional) books and magicians - is truly brain expanding. I've no idea how the author put this all together.

[@simeonwrites]

I completely agree! The more I think about the practicalities of constructing a novel with that level of detail, the more astounding it is. Thanks for watching!

[@wasteyelo1]

Folio Society has just released a stunning edition split into three volumes.

[@simeonwrites]

Oh, that is beautiful! I'll have to save up for it.

[@dandelves]

I think this will be a future classic along with his dark materials

[@simeonwrites]

I completely agree!

[@susanneill7142]

Hello Simeon, Just found your channel while searching for reviews of JS & Mr. N! I’m reading it now. It seems to be a love or hate book on BookTube despite the rave reviews when it came out in 2004, high sales, & awards. But I’m really loving it!! I’m not a reader of fantasy so have nothing in the genre to compare it to. What it feels like to me is satire but at this point I’m saying “satire of what??” I love SC’s ironical, tongue in cheek style & subtle humor, which reminds me of J Austen, one of my favs (“Jane Austen writes Harry Potter better” will probably be a description I’ll use for someone that hasn’t read it). The detail she includes is amazing & I’m constantly being surprised! Anyway, thanks for the great review & you have a new follower! 😊

[@simeonwrites]

Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing! 😀 I'm so glad you're enjoying it, and I loved your description. I would definitely try Piranesi when you're finished.

[@susanneill7142]

@@simeonwrites Yes I plan to!!

[@beverlypena4803]

Feel in love with this book when it first came out. I want to read more of that world. Especially the world of the man with the thistle down hair.

[@simeonwrites]

Completely agree! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelcortez1531]

look for "The Ladies Of Grace Adieu"

[@constancecampbell4610]

I loved this novel, though I had to take a little break halfway through. As for the BBC adaptation, I thought it was fantastic. The two lead actors are especially good.

[@simeonwrites]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I really must find time to watch the TV show.

[@daniellopez1452]

Love the show. Made me buy the book

[@simeonwrites]

Thanks. I'll definitely have to check it out.

[@KristiGilleland]

I absolutely love this book. I'm near 60 and I've been an avid reader my whole life and it's my favorite. I didn't pick it out- it was gifted to me by my friend, who bought it and just could not get through it. It's what I would call a hard read for fiction. I read a lot of occult literature, and I really think it gives you an additional level of enjoyment if you are familiar with that.

[@simeonwrites]

Oh, really? I've not read much occult literature. I wonder if Susanna Clarke researched into that.

[@KristiGilleland]

Oh she absolutely did!

[@Bandgazebo]

I just finished it and also really enjoyed it, despite having a hard time getting through it. I picked it up in 2020, got about 65 pages in and left it, then restarted it from the beginning this spring. Loved the concept so I knew I should push through (plus I'd heard so many good reviews) and I'm glad I did! Jonathan Strange might be one of my most favorite characters of all time. I had to watch the miniseries, but I couldn't find it in the US anywhere and ended up buying the DVD set. [light spoilers] I enjoyed the series and they did a great job fitting a lot of the book in without missing parts I really noticed. However, they changed the end a bit in a way that I think changed Strange at the end in a way I didn't enjoy.

[@simeonwrites]

Thanks for watching! That's great to know. I'll have to watch the series to see what they changed.

[@dangelamarx80]

I’ve been watching it over and over but I finally got the book. I bought the Ladies of Grace Adieu after I saw JS and Me Norrel but I had to go back and buy this one. I can’t believe u haven’t had interest in watching the movie ! It’s really good.

[@simeonwrites]

I really should watch it! I'm funny with film and TV adaptations. I think it's because I already have a vision of the world in my head from reading the book, and I don't like having that altered. Thanks for the comment! :)

[@dangelamarx80]

@@simeonwrites You won’t be disappointed. The actors did a really good job. You can at least watch the first episode…. The Fairy still scares me even after seeing it 100 times.