Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

[Listener]

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.

[Jessie]

My opinion is that I've never heard of it.

[Gamplayerx]

I agree with Jessie.

[nishi]

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.

[dc]

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.

[Alice]

I agree with Gamp.

[eo000]

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

[Listener]

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.