Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - An Epic Standalone Fantasy Book
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- An introduction to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, to help you decide if you want to read this book.
This award-winning bestseller is a massive 1000-page fantasy/alternate history story about two magicians trying to revive English magic in the 1800s. We have the Napoleonic Wars, creepy Fae, and a rivalry between two very different magicians and and their styles of magic.
This is part of my series on Flintlock February! A month of exploring the Flintlock sub-genre.
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![This TV Show Has The Best D&D-Style Magic I’ve Seen On-screen! [Ep. 09]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KX7HkKHL6_w/mqdefault.jpg)
I love your format. Your ability to explain novels and not give away spoilers but also being thorough, thoughtful, and humorous is wonderfully entertaining and satisfying. Keep it up!
Susanna Clarke is such a treasure, I usually dislike audiobooks as a format for fiction, but this book was a huge exception. The narrator, whose name escapes me, perfectly understood the nuanced, subtle humor and charm that makes this book so wonderful and therefore brings it to life. I have two copies of the physical book too. Cheersalot.
This is my favourite book. Not only my favourite fantasy book, just the best book I've ever read overall. Susanna Clarke's mastery of language is uncanny. As are her descriptions of magic. Nowhere did the world feel more magical than in this book, nowhere was magic more otherwordly. No other fantasy book feels like proper literature, this one does. A perfect gem, from beginning to end. I love it.
I love this book, it's one of my all time favorites!
I love that you're covering fantasy standalones! I've been looking for some, so I'm looking forward to more! 💚
Another one added to my list! You are underrated. Your reviews are fun and packed with all the knowledge to make the decision. Thank you
Thank you. This was a brilliant review. You told us exactly what to expect in the with regard to language and difficulty. You gave some excellent tidbits from the story behind the book as well as a beautiful spoiler free summary. . . I can only imagine how long you must have researched to prepare this video. It was generous of you. We already have JS and Mr. N, and will have to get a copy of Piranesi. Many Thanks!
Bless you for this! I knew I would love this book from over twenty years ago when the hardback was one of my first purchases from our amazing indie bookstore. TheBBC series was also wonderful and I can’t imagine anyone other than Eddie Marsan as Mr Norrell. Do see it if you can, fir the couch work embroidery alone.
you did see it. Good.
I am reading the book at the moment - second attempt. I was simply not ready the first time, but now am lapping it up. It is brilliantly written and surprisingly funny - until the Gentleman with Thistle Down Hair arrives. It reminds me of Titus Groan - once you get used to the writing it is absolutely wonderful and unique.
I watched this video and then went and binged the series in less than 24 hours! It's sooooo good! I stuggle with reading bigger books so I'm glad they made it a tv series!
One of my all-time favourites! I'm so happy to hear someone hype this book up, it really deserves all the love!
Thanks for the video! I tried to read this a few years ago and only got about a hundred pages in, but I've been wanting to go back to it for a while, especially after reading and loving Piranesi.
I saw a battered copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel in a used bookshop, and a year later, I'm still annoyed that I didn't pick it up. My mum loves Jane Austen, so I hope I can introduce her to it via audiobook. It's definitely up near the top of my 'most want to read' list, and I'll check out the mini-series, too.
I see you with the question mark kick in the intro!
Wow! I've never read, or indeed heard, a more insightful review of the book than yours! You're a born storyteller, sir!
Loved Piranesi! I definitly have to read Strange&Norrell soon. Thank you! I love your Channel!
I love this book so much. I read a lot of classics, so I didn't find the language intimidating, and Susanna Clarke did SUCH a good job with it. I also loved the footnotes (I always do). This is one of those books I just fell into every day and would be surprised to see the real world around me when I stopped reading haha.
I read it a few years ago and it is brilliant. The writing in 19th century style with footnotes contributes greatly to the world building. Even though the story is about the return of magic, the tone and style make it absolutely believeable. If you haven't yet read it, do yourself a favour and do so. It's one of the cleverest and most enjoyable books I have read in the last ten years. Thanks for bringing the focus back to this great book.
I just want to say Thank You for reintroducing me to reading, more than a decade since I fell out of love with it. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Brandon Sanderson, Terry Pratchett, and more since late last year. I just picked this title up as well!
That is wonderful! Thank you so much for letting me know.yeah if you've enjoyed Sanderson and Prachett, you'll love this one too. Enjoy! 😁
This is a fantastic overview of a dense and complex novel! You have inspired me to go have a re-read!
i’m new to this channel and to sum up my thoughts in the simplest way possible: i like you and i’m here to stay 🤣💕
as for the book, i have strange and norrell in audiobook form but i think i’ll buy the paperback to read at the same time. i simply want to be able to see all of the footnotes for myself as i’m one of those who loves them 😊
Ooo I was gonna put this book to my „lost interest” but u really convinced me! I think i need to start planning a “I read Susanna Clarke” video
One of my favorite books ever. Did you read Piranesi?
You make me want to read everything. 😂 As a chemist, I love your unbiased "scientific" approach to books. Catch myself humming your intro when I'm in the zone at work.
Planning a buddy read of this one with my friend 😊
One of my favorite books ever ❤
I felt like reading Charles Dickens Harry Potter for adults!
I’m watching this video from Italy. Thank you for your work, It was such a pleasure to listen to you, you did a great job. ❤
🤣 good intro! I’m impressed with reading g while working out- still trying to figure out how to do that myself.
Thank you for the review! Love all the additional information about the author! It’s helped me get hyped up! I’m supposed to be reading this book this month with book club, I do like it so far! I read the first chapter but got busy and have put it down for a bit while I read some other things.
Was so looking forward to this video! (finished Piranesi this week, which I loved) It seems my TBR is ever growing (a luxury problem) this book seems fun. As always a great video 🌻 Thank you! Hope your day is awesome!
I'm so happy I found your channel! Your videos are really helpful, when it comes to decision should I buy and read some books. You definitely sold me this book, because now I understand it has everything I love in the books :)
Another book guy video. 🙌🙌. Thank you dude love your content 👍
Literally just finished reading it. Second attempt. First time got distracted by other books.
I have considered this book to be in my Top 3 of best novels (Gentleman Bastards includes two more books in that Top 3). It is at least in Top 5. The show I have not watched, but it has been on my watch list for a while. I recognise a lot of myself in Mr Norrell (and younger me in Bernard Black of Black Books). I hope to be like him one day.
Your slip up with her last name when describing how much she was paid, would actually make a great collaboration! Suzanna Clarke and Suzanne Collins. Strange and Norell, Hunger Games style!
Holy crap I didn't even realise I did that! 🤣 In my defence I did a hunger games video just a few weeks ago. And they are very similar names!!
@@cronkthebookguy It's all good! Your videos are amazing!
My book of the year for 2023, possibly the best I’ve read published in this century.
I’m possibly biased as I live near the Raven King’s capital of Newcastle.
Its a bit hard to read, but ive read enough Lovecraft that im fighting through it, started it today liking it a lot.
Just in case, I want to mention that Piranesi won a Women's Prize for fiction. Love your video.
As it deserves!
Great video, I have this one on my shelf, I really need to pick it up this year
Exited to see more content on your own book
Well I will be reading this asap.
I’ve been thinking of getting this one every time I go to my local bookstore 😂 think I might pick it up if it’s still there today. Thank you for sharing about it, it sounds really interesting.
I hope you do! If it helps, just think of it as a really cost effective way to get 1000 pages of book. 😁
@@cronkthebookguy managed to find it! It’s now on my bookshelf ready to read once I finish reading my current book 😂
Your videos are brilliant.
Only at the concept stage, but Strange and Norrell reming me of Hamilton and Burr and I am so loving that
Ooh that is a good comparison!
@@cronkthebookguy honestly that alone makes me want to read this book. I love their dynamic so much. I want to watch Amadeus, because Amadeus and Salieri seem similar as well
While you expertly inserted brief visual accents in this video it is largely just you talking to me (the audience). I mention this to pay a compliment. I usually can't bear videos where someone just talks to me. 10 minutes in to your video and I realized I was still there.
I don't have the interest or knowledge to tell you why you're awesome exactly. All I can say is the obvious that I observe - you're excited about the material, and you're excited to share. Bob's your uncle you're easy to listen to. Good job and thank you! Wonderful presentation.
I am not belonging to Anglo-Saxon culture, however, I consider this book one of the most “English” novels. Love the vibe of this book, despite the plot unraveling is quite slow, but still very atmospheric.
I've had this book on my TBR shelf for years and finally decided to pick it up after I finished Crescent City (1 & 2) - which was a massive mistake. I DNF'd it 380 pages in because it felt like such a slog compared to what I just read. I was thinking that since it's just one book it should be a quick palette cleanser, while I waited for the third Crescent City book to be released. It was not. It's not a bad book, but coming from a fairly fast paced, modern world and going into the 1800's (writing style included), my brain was just not ready for it.
Thanks to your review though, I've moved it back to my TBR and will pick it up once I finish The Realm of the Elderlings series - which may or may not be bad timing again, lol. I love a good historical fantasy and it ticks all the boxes for me and I enjoyed it while I was reading it, so I think giving it another shot is only fair.
hello thank you for this review, i thought your enthusiasm was really infectious in this and made me want to read it. i was wondering how you would describe the dynamic of strange and norell. i have seen online some queer interpretations of their relationship and homoerotic subtext and was wondering if you noticed that in your own reading. im intrigued by the fact that they are constantly referred to as a "frenemies" situation but always magnetised to one another
Do you think this will become a classic?
@@dandelves I think it IS a classic! 😁
Hi can you read space Captain Smith by Toby frost it's brilliant funny sci-fi but no one's heard of it. It's not even on audible.thanks
HOW HAVE YOU FILMED ME AT HOME AND UPLOADED IT TO YT?
its a style, not immitation
Susana Clarke's books demand readers attention and abilities. It's perfectly fine to not like her books but a lot of ratings on goodreads are just ignorant
It wasn't quite my taste since I am neither a Austen or Dickens fan really (not dislike but not really love either) but MAN what a book nonetheless.
I wasnt as in love with the tv show as you. I felt like Strange was miscast, and lacked the charm and charisma that the book version had. I also thought that Stephen, while wonderfully acted, didn't look right. I pictured him more striking in appearance, less ordinary, the kind of person who would carch a fairy's attention. Someone more like Mahershala Ali.
I also didnt think the Gentleman was as unsettling or eerie as I imagined. He didn't look fey to me--just like a guy in a wig making weird faces. Again, I think they could have gone with someone who had a more unusual appearance. Someone with a more David Bowie or Tilda Swinton look.
Casting aside, my other big complaint was the ending with the gentleman. The whole resolution of that character was very different in the show, and I felt like changed the interpretation of the themes from the book into something else. Certain characters, motivations and conclusions now had a different, and less interesting meaning. Bringing everyone together to fight the gentleman was just too Hollywood and took away from how cool the book handled it.
for me the book was five out of five and the TV show was three out of five
Two quibbles: 1. The Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair may not be all he claims to be. He clearly has power in the Faerie realm, but I think he overstates his position.
2. I was disappointed in the TV series. I felt they didn't get the atmosphere right, and the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair wasn't at all faery-like and nowhere near as capricious and brutal as he was shown to be in the book, where, at one point, he's shown using the skins of his enemies as battle banners..