I finished reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell 10 days ago. I loved the book. LOVED it. And this last volume read the fastest to me. I just couldn’t put it down. However, my thoughts are bound to be very incoherent, because it is hard to separate my general thoughts on the book from this last volume. And overall, Susanna Clarke managed to accomplish so much that I feel as if I can’t even begin to cover what I enjoyed about this book.
First, let me say that I was amazed about how significant all the introduced characters and details turned out to be. The last volume of this book made me feel more and more that I should just start right over at the beginning and find out more now that I know the general story. For so much of the book the general plot is quite unclear, except that we know that there’s a prophesy that will probably play some role or other. There’s much meandering, combined with the style of writing that reminds me so much of Jane Austen, but with more bluntness intermixed.. I can see why this book might not be for everyone. I also understand why the last volume compelled me most to keep on reading, because this is where the plot falls into place. But that is not to say that I liked this volume best, per se, or that I did not yet love the book back in the other volumes. It’s more that, having read part III, I appreciate the meandering, and the side stories, and the overall style of the book even more.
I’m sorry, I’m sitting here pulling a complete blank on what to say and where to begin.
From the very first, I loved how footnotes were incorporated into the story. How they might not be related to the overall plot at all times, but contain back story, and side story (as Jenny called it), and just filled in so many blanks in a world where fantasy meets nineteenth century England, that the world just became more real and whole from the get go.
I like how both the marginality of women and people from other races were written into the story and discussed in such an ingenious manner.
There’s Jonathan Strange and Mr (apparently Gilbert, how had I not picked up on that until this last volume?) Norrell, who are both well-rounded characters that left me alternately sympathetic and annoyed. Mostly, Norrell annoyed me to no end and I felt more for Jonathan, but then, in the end, I couldn’t help but pity Norrell too, with his lifelong devotion to magic and his insecurities and loneliness.
But all the side characters (well, as far as you can actually call them side characters) are so well written en significant too. I loved Childermass. And Stephen (I wonder if he ever had a chance at love with the shopkeeper lady?). And Lady Pole. And oh, Arabella.
I liked how the theme of madness and magic became more prominent throughout this third volume. I love how there’s no definite answer to the question if mad people can see faerie’s or if it’s really the fact that they’re in the proximity of faerie’s that makes that they are perceived as mad.
There’s just simply so much ambiguity to this story. The whole ambivalent ending, although it was a good ending, it just made me want more. How could you not want more of such a great story?
Okay, so I’m sorry, I think I just proved that I really can’t say anything coherent about this story. Except that I loved it. Perhaps once I have reread it, someday, I will be able to write a proper post on this book. I feel like saying this is “a story as any story should be”. But really, what does that signify apart from repeating that I loved it?
What did you think? Did you enjoy reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell? Who was your favourite character? What was your favourite volume, or twist? What were things you appreciated and what did you not like so much?
[For the sign-up post, see here. This post also includes a list of tentative participants and a reading schedule. For the discussion post about part I, see here. The post on part II is here. You are welcome to join in on the discussion of all parts today, or later when you've finished it. Have you posted your thoughts on part III, or on the whole book? Leave me a comment with the link and I will link up to your thoughts]
It’s been way too long since I read this, but yes, I remember that the final part completely hooked me and made me love the book all the more. Clarke’s attention to detail is amazing.
Yes, the details are amazing, and I realised that even more reading the last part. Definitely looking forward to reading this again someday!
After reading how much you enjoyed this book, I had to get a copy.
I am glad I convinced someone to read it. It is definitely worth it!
Hands down the best book I’ve read this year and I am still too excited to write a proper post about it! It was everything I thought it would be and MORE. BTW, I don’t think Mr Norrell’s first name is even mentioned until the third part.
I’m glad you think his first name wasn’t mentioned until the 3rd part either, because I was literally going: “wait, he’s called Gilbert? Eeeeh, we know his first name now!” when I read it, and giggling. Um, anyway. Looking forward to your post once you come around to it.
I loved this book too. It’s been years since I read it but seeing your enthusiasm for it has reminded me of all the reasons why I enjoyed it so much. I’ll have to read it again one day!
I usually feel that my enthousiasm might be a bit over the top for books I really enjoyed, but I don’t even feel like apologizing for it (and this is a huge thing for me) with this one. Yes, I think I’d like to wait a little before rereading it, but I’m sure I will end up rereading it a couple of times.
I understand that not knowing what to say or where to begin feeling perfectly. I am smitten with everything, but I fell behind the readalong when I was distracted by a new job. But I’m still reading, and I have to thank you for inspiring me.
I’ll look forward to your thoughts once you finish the book. I’m sure they will be much better articulated than mine
YAY. I’m glad you liked the book altogether! I thought the final third of the book did such a good job, like seeing how events took a turn for the much darker, it hardly felt like there had been a tonal shift at all. So that was cool, and as ever I liked seeing all the things Susanne Clarke thought of to have her magicians do.
I admit, I was a little scared to start the last part because of the expected darker turn, but it worked out so well! I can imagine you rereading this book each year and finding new things to enjoy each time. And yes, I think Jonathan Strange in particular does some really fun things (moving entire cities?)
I can’t say much more than that I’m thrilled that you loved this book so much. I loved it just as much on my second and third readings. The minute I finished it, I started longing for a sequel—and I still long for it, although maybe I should be happy to have this one perfect book that hasn’t been tainted by less successful sequels.
Yet as much as I love this, I still haven’t gotten around to reading her story collection. I must do that!
I read The Ladies of Grace Adieu once, but that was years ago. I would like to reread it now that I have read JS&MN. It may be a good read along to organise after this, perhaps?
I agree, the end of the book even made me think there would be a sequel. But, I would only want a sequel if it can live up to this one.
Such a good book! I read it lat year and remember being amazed. Glad you enjoyed it too!
It is so nice to read so many comments of people who loved it too! I’m glad you’re one of them
Any plans to reread it? 
congrats for completing this. And it’s good when one enjoys a book. I’ll probably be searching for it one day. Thanks
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It’s nice that you enjoyed this book so much. It didn’t work that well for me though. I loved the beginning, and the middle, but somewhere about 2/3rds of the way in, I felt something wasn’t working for me so well. I still can’t put a finger on what I didn’t like, maybe those bits in Italy? or those numerous distracting footnotes? I don’t know.
Glad you liked it though and I love the enthusiasm in your post
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