An awesome masterpiece

The only problem with this book is that it was much too short, even at 32 hours. It is an awesome achievement on the part of both author and narrator. I don't think I have ever experienced such a credible alternate world, full of totally believable characters involved in such a fascinating and gripping and wonderfully-woven story. This is compounded by Susanna Clarke's outstanding writing -- the quality of her English puts many other modern authors to shame.

There are few other works of modern literature you could compare it to -- Neil Gaiman's American Gods, perhaps, which it certainly equals and possibly exceeds, and Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast saga. Comparisons with Harry Potter are unfair, however -- Susanna Clarke is as far in advance of J.K. Rowling as Dickens and Balzac are of Enid Blyton.

This first novel immediately puts Clarke in the same literary level as Dickens, Austen, the Bronte sisters and others. She is at least their equals and has other qualities, qualities of world-creation and vision, that they did not have.

Simon Prebble's narration is worthy of Clarke's wonderful book. Every character is perfectly deliniated, coming to life with the first couple of words they speak. It was a joy to listen to and contributed to the feeling that the book was much too short. I would have loved to have gone on living in this fascinating world.

Five stars is not enough for this book. I wish I could have awarded eight or ten. An instant masterpiece, a classic, a jewel.

15 people found this helpful

For the love of language

This is a book for people who like to dwell in language. It is descriptive and the choice of language and phrasing matches perfectly the period of the setting: the early 1800s. It reflects, too, the types and class of people who it describes. The story is compelling, gently unfolding, drawing the listener into the world, both through the description of events, and the weaving in of magical "theoretical" texts which anchor the story into its bigger mythology of lost English magical traditions.

This is a long audio book and not suited to people who want to be swept along by a fast-paced narrative. If you are the kind of person who claimed that Tolkien's Lord of The Rings was too long or tedious, then you should avoid this book. For those who like deeply formed characters and a narrative that builds momentum steadily then this is a wonderful choice (& extremely well performed in this audio version).

7 people found this helpful

Outstanding!

I cannot begin to praise this book highly enough. It was wonderful in so many ways.

The book has an interesting structure. The main protagonist doesn't put in an appearance for the first few chapters. A fantasy tale about the 'restoration' of English magic, it is set during the time of the Napoleonic wars, in the early part of the 19th Century.

The characters are just so rich. You love them, hate them, are confused by them, but ultimately, there is charmingly absurd quality to all of them that really does answer to why this book is not your run of the mill fantasy novel. It's a very literate piece of fiction.

I have to say something about the writer's use of language. It's just spectacular. This book has a neverending stream of sentences that are delicious on the ear. Clarke's use of metaphor is fresh and breathtaking.

Finally, the narration is absolutely perfection.

5 people found this helpful

fabulous!

I've given this book 4 rather than 5 stars because I find it to be slightly lacking in the story/plot department. However I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys superb writing and a dry, witty, arrogant, sense of humour. If you like your fantasy in the good-versus-evil, prince defeats dragon and carries off damsel in distress with the aid of naughty but charming fairy style, then stay away from this one. But if you can handle a cast of slightly vile, beautifully flawed and unapologetically selfish characters scheming their way through the prim and devious world of the English Gentleman, and if you can imagine the entertainment value of magic put to "proper" use, then you will definitely get your money's worth from this title.

4 people found this helpful

Enthralling and immersive

I have heard this book described as 'Harry Potter' for adults, but I think it is better to say 'His Dark Materials' for adults, if that makes sense.
The book is long (!) and involved, and not all of the sub-plots/side stories are relevant but they do immmerse you in this alternate history.
That is exactly what the flavour of this book is: historical fiction. It feels like it was put together from eyewitness accounts and this is what made me enjoy it even more - it feels so real!
Yes, the book is long, but I would recommend you stick with it and stifle the urge to fast forward - it is a rewarding read and one that you will probably want to hear again (one day!).
The end, however, was slightly disappointing and felt rushed, to me, and as if the author had just run out of steam.
The narrator does an EXCELLENT job with the reading, and the voices are superb - Norrell sounds pedantic and persnickety, Vinculus sounds common, dirty and supercillious, and Arabella strange is loving, supportive and the rock on which her husband relies. The gentleman with the thistle-down hair sounds downright creepy on the whole, and there is never a time when you are left wondering who is speaking because the changes in tone and inflection are so good.

4 people found this helpful

Good kindling for the fire!!

I was suckered into this due to some reference I read about it being an adult version of Harry Potter which, I must admit, I have quite enjoyed. This however is as much like Harry Potter as Paris Hilton is to Germaine Greer. Tedious and waffly. I am persisting through it against my better judgement but it really has not grabbed me. This is the first audio book that has been bad. Try "A Changed Man" - I really liked that one.

3 people found this helpful

great book

I have chosen the book mostly because it is quite long. I had never heard about it before and so I didn't expect much.
I was quite surprised. The Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is the best book I have read or listened in a long time.

3 people found this helpful

Magical

This is one of my favourite books of all time, so when I saw it in Audiobook format, I HAD to buy it. And I wasn't disappointed either. The narrator was excellent. I couldn't fault it (though perhaps my love for the story itself makes me somewhat biased).

The story is long and with much of the background information presented as 'footnotes', it might become somewhat tedious to keep going back to for those of you who prefer quicker paced books with plenty of action in them. This is a fictionalised account of a time when magic was non-fiction, with the story examining and reviewing magical theory and practice to great depth. Like Tolkien's masterpiece, JS&Mr.N is a history of England's fictional past, but is so vibrant that it might be almost believable...

2 people found this helpful

Bla Bla Bla

What attracted me originally to this book is the length. Then I read up some online reviews as I had not heard of this writer before. The overwhelming view looked very promising, so I purchased this novel. I have given up now after hearing 1/2 of the book (16hrs), pretty sure that that is long enough for the book to have started. If you are looking for a book that is interesting then steer clear of this one.

2 people found this helpful

Original, compelling, fresh.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. If someone enjoyed this genre I would recommend it as something entirely new and very enjoyable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell?

Strange scrying the future of the battle of Waterloo. Can't say anymore with spoiling it. But the whole book is full of interesting moments.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, I think so. There are better narrators out there, but maybe that's personal preference. The narrator didn't get in the way of the story and that often a sticking point for audiobooks.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed at times, didn't cry but it certainly has unusual depth and depth of character development for the genre.

1 person found this helpful