Jack4Smith

After two years I have manged to go on real vacation bringing with me this book. I had read lot of positive reviews of this book and the novel received several awards.

To be frank I do not find this book so stunning. It is pleasant reading, but I definitelly cannot say it is better than Tolkien´s LOTR.

I won´t go deep into the plot. You can read it anywhere else.

In short, I find the part which describes Norrell´s stay in London quite boring. Through all pages you are waiting for some action to happen. After the Norrell´s practical magic demonstration in church in the small village the book moves to London where Mr Norrell is trapped in London live full of banquets, balls and chatting.

The book than moves slowly to Mr Strange again describing his background.

The most interesting part follows as Strange is staying in Spain finghting against Napoleon. It is funny, adventurous and moving.

After his return to London the novel falls back to descriptive mode.

Some of the reviewers are reffering to love aspect of the book. To be frank it is not very romantic describing english gentlemen as a cold beings fully occupied by their interests - clubs, work, male friends. Their wives are just one piece of their household - with same importance as table or horse. so, there is NOTHING happening in this book in terms of love.

The final chapters will wake you up again for a while and they will even suprise you with unexpected story development.

To conclude, I would prefer this book to be MUCH SHORTER avoiding unecessary boring chapters. You can accept them only if you admint this IS NOT NOVEL BUT Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell´s BIOGRAPHY.

Verdict: 7/10