I actually finished this book some time ago, and thought I posted my review. Apparently, and obviously, this was not the case. I see this as reaffirming the title of the blog. (~_^)
Susanna Clarke: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
As the introduction from Mr. Gaiman states, the characters in this tale become like old friends by the close. This is one of the oddest books I’ve read in a long time. Not the story itself – summed up as the revival of English magic in the Victorian age, regarding two psuedo-conflicting magicians (can you guess their names?) and a conniving, if powerful, fairy lord (are there any other kind?) – but rather the overall sense of the story.
The book is written in keeping with many of the language conventions of the time (or at least in keeping with my perception of such), and the effect is that you get completely sucked into this world. Only this word is not as exciting as you would expect. I mean you’ve got powerful magicians, a war with Napoleon, and enchantments by a fairy lord… and yet the language used robs many of the events of their suspense and adrenaline. Reminds me a bit of my post on OSC’s The Worthing Saga in that respect (though only in that respect).
Picture huge and history-changing events as told by a high English gentlemen, speaking of them as if he were talking about how his hounds did on their last hunt. And a great deal of time is spent on describing daily events of seemingly minimal importance (but if they were unimportant, why would they be there?). It’s bizarre, and by all rights it should turn me off from the book.
Instead I was captivated. I enjoyed every one of the 800+ pages. You quickly begin to understand and identify with the peculiarities of each character, and I think everyone will have a different favorite, or at least different sympathies for various people in this book. The cast is very well developed, even characters who have a minor role or who only appear for a few pages will still have remarkable presence. I think this is why so much time is spent on the “mundane”, because it serves to bring you fully into a subtle and remarkable world, combining great and small to create great believability. And the events that happen in the last 100 or so pages become absolutely thrilling when compared to the rest.
Clarke has undeniable skill with the English language, and she’s has the ability to craft an incredible story world with subtlety, where details matter. This book will sustain multiple readings, with new discoveries each time, and greater insight into the world and the story. And I think I’ll find more depth as well… I won’t just find new pieces of a story I already know, but whole new plots and twists and meanings woven into the fabric of a huge tale.
I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone. In fact, I’d recommend it to far, far fewer people. But it is a fantastic story, and the people who like it will love it, and speak of it as if part of a secret club (I may have stolen that from Gaiman’s introduction as well).
VERDICT:
Very long, with language and story elements that might turn off more casual readers. But it’s pretty amazing, and I highly recommend buying this books.
UP NEXT:
Finished reading Kenneth Oppel’s Airborn. Post forthcoming.
