Tag Archives: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

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]

So here we are, ready to discuss Volume II, everyone?

So much to discuss that I didn’t exactly know where to stop or start, which is why I ended up keeping this post short. I hope you will feel free to discuss more in-depth in the comments.

I still cannot like Mr Norrell. But I do very much like Jonathan Strange, even though his interest in faerie-magic make me wonder if I’m supposed to like him. In other books about faerie (not that I have read that many, I admit!), there’s always something dangerous, dark, and unknown about their magic, and I think the book evokes the same feelings here. And I didn’t much enjoy Strange’s neglect of his wife. But then he does come out with these wonderful sentiments that warm me towards him:

“Upon the contrary, Mrs Bullworth, a system of morality which punishes the woman and leaves no share of blame to the man seems to me quite detestable. But beyond that I will not go. I will not hurt innocent people.”

One can wonder about that last line. It seems Strange is full of good intentions, but surely his dedication to the English side of the war goes rather far at times, and sometimes I wish he would have drawn lines as to what he would and would not do to help the war effort a little more firmly.

In this volume of the book, the tale turns decidedly darker. I think perhaps, in the first part the tale focuses more of the magic of magic, the hopeful sentiments associated with it, while this part is much more about the ambiguous and the fine line between white and dark magic? I don’t know how any of you felt, but the episode during the Spanish war (I’m trying not to spoil for those who haven’t read it yet – and I’m sure you know what I refer to if you have read it) was decidedly spooky, and the last pages of this volume even more so. Oh, Arabella,

Jasmine, having read part I, pointed out in her comment on the post discussing part I that she likes Stephen Black most as a character, and then continues:

I really like Stephan Black, not as a person, but because of the potential I see in his character, could he be the one the prophesy speaks of? the unknown king?…can’t remember the exact words of the prophesy spoken by Vinculus….

I admit, I cannot remember the exact wording of the prophesy either, but reading her comment I had the feeling that she might just be right.. Having read part II, I’m even more convinced that she is.

How did you feel about Volume II of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell? What stood out to you most in terms of characters, writing, or plot? Are you looking forward to Volume III?

I admit, I am both anticipating and dreading Volume III. I have a feeling it is going to become darker and more ambiguous still, but I also really want to know what happens next.

[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. You are still very welcome to join in whatever way you want! Have you posted your thoughts on part II? Leave me a comment with the link and I will link up to your thoughts]