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General Categories => Occupy My Mind! => Books => Topic started by: Listener on September 22, 2005, 10:20:36 AM

Title: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: Listener on September 22, 2005, 10:20:36 AM
Has anyone read this?  Does it get faster at some point?  Because it's a really long book, and while it's interesting, the "social satire" aspect is getting a little tiresome.

No spoilers needed.  Just opinions.
Title: Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: Jessie on September 22, 2005, 10:24:18 AM
My opinion is that I've never heard of it.
Title: Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: Gamplayerx on September 22, 2005, 10:47:39 AM
I agree with Jessie.
Title: Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: nishi on September 22, 2005, 12:47:00 PM
i started it - frankly, it's one of the only books i've ever liked... but stopped reading. i don't think i made it quite halfway, and i haven't had the heart to start over. i suspect i won't.

another book that has fallen into that category was Instance of the Fingerpost. by the time i finally finished it, it was good and quite intriguing, but..... i don't know. i was within pages of ending the thing and it sat on my nightstand for about 3 weeks which never happens.
Title: Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: dc on September 22, 2005, 12:52:46 PM
I liked it.  I viewed it as a pseudo-historical novel rather than looking for social commentary, though.

However, I didn't read it.  I listened to the unabridged audio version of it because Simon Prebble was the reader.  He's one of the few narrators who will make me listen to the book rather than read it.
Title: Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: Alice on September 22, 2005, 12:55:24 PM
I agree with Gamp.
Title: Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: eo000 on September 22, 2005, 12:58:19 PM
Quote from: dc on September 22, 2005, 12:52:46 PM
I liked it.  I viewed it as a pseudo-historical novel rather than looking for social commentary, though.

However, I didn't read it.  I listened to the unabridged audio version of it because Simon Prebble was the reader.  He's one of the few narrators who will make me listen to the book rather than read it.

that's how i am with joan rivers and fran dresher
Title: Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Post by: Listener on September 22, 2005, 03:52:33 PM
Quote from: dc on September 22, 2005, 12:52:46 PM
I liked it.  I viewed it as a pseudo-historical novel rather than looking for social commentary, though.

However, I didn't read it.  I listened to the unabridged audio version of it because Simon Prebble was the reader.  He's one of the few narrators who will make me listen to the book rather than read it.

Yeah, I'm getting that feeling (pseudo-historical).  However, reading some of the reviews, they draw parallels to Jane Austen's social satire in her novels.  The whole thing with Drawlight trying to get Norrell into polite society and all...

Just tell me if it speeds up.  It's plodding quite a bit.  Much like the first 200 or so pages of Harry Potter 6.