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Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

What we're reading

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

36 replies

MyIronLung · 27/08/2015 12:29

I'm about 130 pages in and I'm struggling! Theres been a couple of bits that I've enjoyed but on the whole, so far, I'm finding it very dry!

Is it worth persevering? I'm normally loathe to give up on books (especially ones that I hankered after for ages and was certain I'd love!) but it's so big and the thought of just struggling through the next 900 pages or so is making me want to set fire to the flipping thing!

OP posts:

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CheekyBambino · 27/09/2015 22:45

I love that book so am very pleased to see your update! You are right about needing time to get into the style, which can't be easy with a toddler! DS is 8 months and I've read very little since he was born. Have you read her book of short stories? They are very good too. I keep hoping she'll write a sequel to JS & Mr N.

minsmum · 26/09/2015 23:28

Just to let you know that I have finished . I wouldn't have if I hadn't read this thread and I really ended up loving it. I ended up reading the last third really slowly because I didn't want it to end. Thank you

BeeBawBabbity · 20/09/2015 00:16

It definitely has great bits and dull bits. I found once they got to Venice I really began to enjoy it. I loved the TV adaptation, then read the book after. As usual I got much more from the book, especially the end.

queenrollo · 18/09/2015 20:35

I finished it. It did get much better as I got further in, and most telling is that when I got to the end I had a 'that can't be the end' feeling. I wanted it to go on a bit longer.

Phantomquartz · 07/09/2015 21:44

It is one of my favourite books - and I highly recommend the audiobook. You do really need to get into it though. I gave up a couple of times before I got all the way through. It is one of those books that once you've got into it you don't want it to end.

minsmum · 07/09/2015 21:23

Thank heaven's for that. I picked it for book club and I don't think anyone is enjoying it yet. I will tell them

MyIronLung · 01/09/2015 20:04

Just a quick update as I'm sure you've all been on tenterhooks about this .
I'm now up to page 280 and surprisingly have started to really enjoy it. I think a few things influenced my struggle in the beginning, chiefly, it being the holidays and having a very demanding 4 yr old. This meant that I was unable to read for more than 5 minutes before I got called to do something/fetch something/wipe something/look at something! This meant that I didn't have the chance to get used to the style of writing before I had to put it down again.

I'm so glad I did persevere because I'm loving it now

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stopfaffing · 27/08/2015 21:46

Talking of quirky books, I recently finished The Miniaturist and felt disappointed at the end. I had expectations which were not realised and perhaps this is my fault, but still.

stopfaffing · 27/08/2015 21:43

I haven't finished Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell either although I have enjoyed reading it. If you're not sure, leave it.

The Name of the Rose - I love the film to bits (Sean Connery, pwar and Christian Slater, so cute ) and watch it again and again. The characters, the atmosphere, the story and the setting are compelling. I even loved the book! goes off to find my video copy

SoupDragon · 27/08/2015 21:34

Probably won't ever pick up another fantasy book again.

Noooo - please don't judge a whole genre by one book!

MyIronLung · 27/08/2015 21:28

That's the thing southeast, I love fantasy normally.

I'm carrying on because there have been parts that I've really enjoyed, hopefully they'll be more...

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TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 27/08/2015 18:53

that book is my nemesis, I have never given up on a book

this one I bought first time around, and it's been on every holiday just in case I get the urge to make a new start on it, but no.

I also intended to watch the series, but never did.

southeastdweller · 27/08/2015 18:50

Dry is the word. I gave up after 200 pages and don't regret it. Probably won't ever pick up another fantasy book again.

kelda · 27/08/2015 18:18

If you don't get her writing style, just give up. Her books are to be enjoyed as I did, they are not supposed to be a penance.

DuchessofMalfi · 27/08/2015 18:17

And talking of quirky books, I can't wait for The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch - the latest in the Rivers of London series out in November :)

SoupDragon · 27/08/2015 17:50

I like quirky books that have a bit of magic and oddness about them

Oh, me too. The story is just my sort of thing. Unfortunately, the writing style ruined it. I enjoyed the BBC adaptation - it was what the book should have been.

SoupDragon · 27/08/2015 17:46

I started it and gave up. It needed someone to go through it and chop out a vast number of unnecessary words. I found the writing style impenetrable.

MyIronLung · 27/08/2015 17:44

I've cheered myself up by buying Touch by Claire North (first fifteen lives of Harry August) . It's going to be my reward for persevering with J S & M N!

OP posts:

Badders123 · 27/08/2015 17:32

Ah you see I loved the name of the rose :)
(I just ignored all the Latin)
I have loads of books to read in my kindle and have just got the Silk Road by Peter frankopan.

queenrollo · 27/08/2015 16:54

Duchess - I have the same rule about ditching books (after persevering with The Name Of The Rose and hating every minute).
There is enough about this book keeping me going though, so i'm going to stick with it.

DuchessofMalfi · 27/08/2015 16:46

Another one who enjoyed it. I read it earlier this year in readiness for the tv adaptation and loved it. I raced through it, found it a complete page-turner. But then I like quirky books that have a bit of magic and oddness about them :) And this one fitted the bill. I enjoyed the short story collection The Ladies of Grace Adieu as well.

However, it could be a real chore if you're not enjoying it. I'd recommend giving up, because it's going to just drag on and on with more of the same for 1000 pages and you'll start to resent it and the time taken to read it.

It's definitely a marmite kind of book that doesn't appeal to everyone. I have a rule that if a book isn't gripping me by page 100 then I ditch it and move on, without guilt :o

JoffreyBaratheon · 27/08/2015 15:45

Half way through the TV I got it on Audible (as that month's credit because it is very expensive otherwise) and both my 22 year old son and I loved every second of it as an audiobook. In fact I listened so much I got ahead of the TV series.

I since bought it on Kindle so next time I have a Jonathan Strange urge, I'll probably actually read it. But a huge recommend on Audible.

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queenrollo · 27/08/2015 15:40

I'm struggling through this on my now 4th attempt. Every now and then I feel i'm enjoying it and then hit a bit of a wall where it just seems nothing is happening in spite of all the words i'm reading.

I'm sticking with it though.

CoteDAzur · 27/08/2015 15:35

I loved it. Waited a few years to forget it sufficiently, then re-read it recently. Savoured every chapter

Make sure you read all the footnotes. That is where much of the story and all of the background is to be found.

Costacoffeeplease · 27/08/2015 13:21

I have a house and kindle full of books too, and I really resent the time I wasted on both of these - give it up without regret, just be glad you didn't waste any more time

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