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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell #1 of 3
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Volume 1
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is the debut novel by British writer Susanna Clarke. Published in 2004, it is an alternative history set in 19th-century England around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Its premise is that magic once existed in England and has returned with two men: Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange. Centred on the relationship between these two men, the novel investigates the nature of "Englishness" and the boundaries between reason and unreason, Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Dane, and Northern and Southern English cultural tropes/stereotypes.
261 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
65 people are currently reading
1491 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Clarke
34 books12.1k followersSusanna Clarke was born in Nottingham in 1959. A nomadic childhood was spent in towns in Northern England and Scotland. She was educated at St Hilda's College, Oxford, and has worked in various areas of non-fiction publishing, including Gordon Fraser and Quarto. In 1990, she left London and went to Turin to teach English to stressed-out executives of the Fiat motor company. The following year she taught English in Bilbao.
She returned to England in 1992 and spent the rest of that year in County Durham, in a house that looked out over the North Sea. There she began working on her first novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
From 1993 to 2003, Susanna Clarke was an editor at Simon and Schuster's Cambridge office, where she worked on their cookery list. She has published seven short stories and novellas in US anthologies. One, "The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse," first appeared in a limited-edition, illustrated chapbook from Green Man Press. Another, "Mr Simonelli or The Fairy Widower," was shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award in 2001.
She lives in Cambridge with her partner, the novelist and reviewer Colin Greenland.
She returned to England in 1992 and spent the rest of that year in County Durham, in a house that looked out over the North Sea. There she began working on her first novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
From 1993 to 2003, Susanna Clarke was an editor at Simon and Schuster's Cambridge office, where she worked on their cookery list. She has published seven short stories and novellas in US anthologies. One, "The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse," first appeared in a limited-edition, illustrated chapbook from Green Man Press. Another, "Mr Simonelli or The Fairy Widower," was shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award in 2001.
She lives in Cambridge with her partner, the novelist and reviewer Colin Greenland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
July 27, 2020
Alternatif bir gerçeklikte, 19. Yüzyılın başında İngiltere’de gerçek büyü kaybolur; büyücü kavramı artık yalnızca büyü tarihi üzerine araştırmalar yapıp yayınlar hazırlayan “büyü tarihçileri”nin tanımıdır. Norrell ise büyüyü yeniden İngiltere’ye döndürmeye ve bu büyüyü Fransızlarla sürmekte olan savaşta dahi kullanmayı isteyen, eski usül bir büyücü. Sanırım ilk kitap olduğu için bir miktar yavaş başlayıp, ilerledikçe açılan bir kitap. Fantastik kitaplarda büyü, sihir ve tarih karışımı sevenler için güzel bir tercih. Ama ben serinin kalan kitaplarına, yakın zamanda devam etmeyi düşünmüyorum açıkcası
September 23, 2021
Cela ova prva knjiga je kao neki uvod. Ja se nadam da ce uskoro da se pojavi taj kralj Gavran, sto mene bas podseca na ona dva vrana gavrana sa Kosova ravna, al ne znam zasto.
May 2, 2011
One of the best books I've read in years. This book has been called Harry Potter for adults - think that is an accurate description. At almost 1,000 pages it seemed daunting, and I kept thinking I would let it go. That is until I read the 3rd chapter - everything changed after that. Engaging, fun, interesting....it took me awhile to read the entire thing, but it was worth it. Even more - I didn't want it to end. I would have happily read 1,000 more pages.
September 19, 2022
Świetny setting, świetnie się bawię.
November 7, 2021
absolutny majstersztyk.
z nieopisaną radością muszę przyznać, iż sposób dobierania słów i pióro clarke sprawiły, że bez końca mogłabym czytać jak rozprawia o polityczno - magicznych zamieszkach w sali stowarzyszenia magów. uwielbiam humor tej historii i fakt, że niemal każdy z bohaterów ma tu swój, krótszy lub dłuższy, ale doceniony wątek i wkład. norrell i strange to ikony i nie mogę się doczekać kontynuowania ich pełnych chaotyczności przygód.
z nieopisaną radością muszę przyznać, iż sposób dobierania słów i pióro clarke sprawiły, że bez końca mogłabym czytać jak rozprawia o polityczno - magicznych zamieszkach w sali stowarzyszenia magów. uwielbiam humor tej historii i fakt, że niemal każdy z bohaterów ma tu swój, krótszy lub dłuższy, ale doceniony wątek i wkład. norrell i strange to ikony i nie mogę się doczekać kontynuowania ich pełnych chaotyczności przygód.
November 9, 2024
Boże ale się dobrze bawiłam 😭 potrzebuje więcej, dobrze że mam następne tomy pod ręką
June 4, 2020
Birinci kitap olduğu için henüz asıl kurguya girmeyeceğimizi düşünmüştüm. Tahmin ettiğim gibiydi ama değildi de. Bay Norrell ağırlıklı bir kitaptı. Karakterleri tanımamız için yazılmış ama bir o kadar da Bay Norrell'in amacına giden yolda yaptıklarını anlatıp okuyucuyu olaylara dahil etmeyi başarmış bir kitaptı. Giriş kitabı için oldukça tatmin edici buldum.
İlk başladığımda uyum sağlamamın zor olacağını düşünmüştüm. Fakat ön yargım daha ilk otuz sayfa içerisinde kırıldı. Kendimi sayfaları hızla çevirirken buldum. Dipnotlar gözümü korkutmuştu ama onları da hiç sıkılmadan okudum.
Yazar, çok farklı ve sağlam bir dünya oluşturmuş. Hiçbir şey nedensiz değil. Okuyucunun önünde olaylar ve kişiler canlı bir şekilde belirmesi amaçlanmış. Karakterlerin kişilik özellikleri bile öyle muazzam anlatılmış ki asla çizgilerinden çıkmadılar ve bana gerçek birer insan izlenimi verdiler. Hatta bazen "Gerçekten kurgu mu?" diye düşündüğüm bir kitap oldu. Yazarın kalemine bu sebeplerle de hayran kaldım.
Ayrıca İngilizler ve Fransızların arasındaki çekişmeye de dönem itibarıyla yer verilmiş. Olaylar biraz eğlenceli bir dille anlatıldığı için gülerek okuduğum birkaç yer oldu. Kitabın atmosferi de çok etkileyiciydi. Betimlemelerin bu kadar güçlü yazılmasına da bayıldım. Kuzgun Kral'dan bahsedilirken Edgar Allan Poe etkisi aldım. Gotik atmosfer de bu etkiyi biraz daha güçlendirdi. Gönderme mi yoksa bir tesadüf müydü bilmiyorum ama her nedenle olursa olsun bunu da çok beğendiğimi dile getirmem lazımdı.
BBC, bu kitabı mini dizi yapmış. Fakat ikisinin kıyaslanmaması gerektiğini düşünüyorum. Üç ciltlik, geniş bir dünyanın yedi bölüme sığdırılmasını olanaklı bulmuyorum. Zaten filmi/dizisi kendisinden iyi olan bir kitap hatırlamıyorum.
Kitabı büyüler, 18. Yüzyıl İngiliz atmosferi, periler, fantastik bir dünya okumayı sevenlere tavsiye ederim. İlk kitap Bay Norrell'i anlatıyordu. Sakın benim gibi birinci sayfadaki yazıyı unutup "Jonathan Strange nerede ya?" diye düşünüp üzülmeyin. Onu dipnotlardan okumak beni bir ara üzdü ama Bay Norrell de açığı kapatıyor. Hatta hiç açık oluşmuyor. Sadece ben biraz aceleci davranmışım. Diğer kitapları da mutlaka okuyacağım.
İlk başladığımda uyum sağlamamın zor olacağını düşünmüştüm. Fakat ön yargım daha ilk otuz sayfa içerisinde kırıldı. Kendimi sayfaları hızla çevirirken buldum. Dipnotlar gözümü korkutmuştu ama onları da hiç sıkılmadan okudum.
Yazar, çok farklı ve sağlam bir dünya oluşturmuş. Hiçbir şey nedensiz değil. Okuyucunun önünde olaylar ve kişiler canlı bir şekilde belirmesi amaçlanmış. Karakterlerin kişilik özellikleri bile öyle muazzam anlatılmış ki asla çizgilerinden çıkmadılar ve bana gerçek birer insan izlenimi verdiler. Hatta bazen "Gerçekten kurgu mu?" diye düşündüğüm bir kitap oldu. Yazarın kalemine bu sebeplerle de hayran kaldım.
Ayrıca İngilizler ve Fransızların arasındaki çekişmeye de dönem itibarıyla yer verilmiş. Olaylar biraz eğlenceli bir dille anlatıldığı için gülerek okuduğum birkaç yer oldu. Kitabın atmosferi de çok etkileyiciydi. Betimlemelerin bu kadar güçlü yazılmasına da bayıldım. Kuzgun Kral'dan bahsedilirken Edgar Allan Poe etkisi aldım. Gotik atmosfer de bu etkiyi biraz daha güçlendirdi. Gönderme mi yoksa bir tesadüf müydü bilmiyorum ama her nedenle olursa olsun bunu da çok beğendiğimi dile getirmem lazımdı.
BBC, bu kitabı mini dizi yapmış. Fakat ikisinin kıyaslanmaması gerektiğini düşünüyorum. Üç ciltlik, geniş bir dünyanın yedi bölüme sığdırılmasını olanaklı bulmuyorum. Zaten filmi/dizisi kendisinden iyi olan bir kitap hatırlamıyorum.
Kitabı büyüler, 18. Yüzyıl İngiliz atmosferi, periler, fantastik bir dünya okumayı sevenlere tavsiye ederim. İlk kitap Bay Norrell'i anlatıyordu. Sakın benim gibi birinci sayfadaki yazıyı unutup "Jonathan Strange nerede ya?" diye düşünüp üzülmeyin. Onu dipnotlardan okumak beni bir ara üzdü ama Bay Norrell de açığı kapatıyor. Hatta hiç açık oluşmuyor. Sadece ben biraz aceleci davranmışım. Diğer kitapları da mutlaka okuyacağım.
September 26, 2021
JA. CHCĘ. WIĘCEJ.
January 30, 2024
Üç ciltlik Jonathan Strange ve Bay Norrell serisinin ilk kitabı; gizemli kurgusu, yalın ve akıcı anlatımı, büyücüler ve perilerin rol oynadığı alternatif bir evrende geçen hikayesi ve 1800'lü yılların İngilteresi'nden esintiler taşıyan atmosferi ile keyif aldığım bir içeriğe sahipti.İlk yarısı yavaş ilerleyen işleyişi ile bir giriş ve tanıtım özelliği taşırken, ikinci yarısı gelişen olaylar ile farklı insanların hayatındaki değişikliklere odaklanması sebebiyle hızlı okunan ve akıp giden bir yapıdaydı.
1806 yılında York Büyücüler Cemiyeti'ne gizemli bir büyücü katılır. Bay Segundus ismindeki bu büyücü, İngiltere'de artık büyü yapılmadığı ve büyücülerin sadece büyü tarihini incelediği konusunu gündeme getirir. İngiltere'nin altın çağlarında Kuzgun Kral ismi verilen güçlü büyücünün zamanlarına dönmesi için büyü tatbik eden büyücülere yönelik bir araştırma başlatır. Bu araştırma kendisini çok büyük bir kütüphanesi olan ve kendi halinde yaşayan Bay Norrell'a götürür. Bay Norrell,York Büyücüler Cemiyeti'ne yapacağı büyük bir gösteri ile tüm Britanya'da büyünün var olduğunu kanıtlamak üzere harekete geçer. Bu eylem, onu Londra'ya, hasta bir genç kızın hayatında büyük değişiklik yaratmaya, İngiltere ve Fransa arasındaki savaşta kilit bir rol oynamaya götürecektir.
Keyifli bir okuma süreci geçirdiğim bu kitap hem güç olgusunu, hem de fantastik unsurların rol oynadığı keyifli bir kurguyu işlemesi ile beğendiğim bir yapıdaydı. Seriye devam edeceğiz.
1806 yılında York Büyücüler Cemiyeti'ne gizemli bir büyücü katılır. Bay Segundus ismindeki bu büyücü, İngiltere'de artık büyü yapılmadığı ve büyücülerin sadece büyü tarihini incelediği konusunu gündeme getirir. İngiltere'nin altın çağlarında Kuzgun Kral ismi verilen güçlü büyücünün zamanlarına dönmesi için büyü tatbik eden büyücülere yönelik bir araştırma başlatır. Bu araştırma kendisini çok büyük bir kütüphanesi olan ve kendi halinde yaşayan Bay Norrell'a götürür. Bay Norrell,York Büyücüler Cemiyeti'ne yapacağı büyük bir gösteri ile tüm Britanya'da büyünün var olduğunu kanıtlamak üzere harekete geçer. Bu eylem, onu Londra'ya, hasta bir genç kızın hayatında büyük değişiklik yaratmaya, İngiltere ve Fransa arasındaki savaşta kilit bir rol oynamaya götürecektir.
Keyifli bir okuma süreci geçirdiğim bu kitap hem güç olgusunu, hem de fantastik unsurların rol oynadığı keyifli bir kurguyu işlemesi ile beğendiğim bir yapıdaydı. Seriye devam edeceğiz.
January 1, 2023
4.5 ⭐
2nd read, december 2022
what can I say I had fun as always, I agree with my old review and I love this book so much (also I discovered some small things that are quite... interesting when you're rereading it)
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1st read, october 2020
Na początku ciężko mi było się wciągnąć, ale kiedy już się udało, to wsiąkłem mocno i czytałem w każdej wolnej chwili, póki nie skończyłem, a ostatnio to mi się rzadko zdarza.
Do tego przepiękny rodzaj humoru, podczas udawania przez narratorkę że wszystko jest zupełnie na poważnie i ale jak to się śmiejesz, przecież to są poważni dżentelmeni, robiący poważne dżentelmeńskie rzeczy. (Swoją drogą słowo "dżentelmen" i różne jego odmiany pada w tej książce tyle razy, że teraz zawsze będzie mi się z nią kojarzyło).
Poza tym, przypisy – jedna z najlepszych części tej książki, serio. Mimo że bywały dosyć długie (jeden nawet na prawie trzy strony, z tego co pamiętam) to czyta się je bardzo ciekawie, dowiadując się ciekawostek, opowieści i ogólnie dodatkowych informacji do głównej fabuły i jej postaci, również tych które (jeszcze) nie miały okazji się pojawić.
A ogólna atmosfera chłodnego i zamglonego Londynu, herbaty i zakurzonych ksiąg idealnie się wpasowała w czas w którym to czytałem (znany jako końcówka października), dzięki czemu czytało się jeszcze lepiej.
Ogólnie polecam dać tej książce szansę i przebić się przez początek i problemy egzystencjalne magów-teoretyków, bo potem jest coraz lepiej.
Drugi tom czeka na biurku na przeczytanie, zobaczymy jak z nim pójdzie.
2nd read, december 2022
what can I say I had fun as always, I agree with my old review and I love this book so much (also I discovered some small things that are quite... interesting when you're rereading it)
_____________________________________________
1st read, october 2020
Na początku ciężko mi było się wciągnąć, ale kiedy już się udało, to wsiąkłem mocno i czytałem w każdej wolnej chwili, póki nie skończyłem, a ostatnio to mi się rzadko zdarza.
Do tego przepiękny rodzaj humoru, podczas udawania przez narratorkę że wszystko jest zupełnie na poważnie i ale jak to się śmiejesz, przecież to są poważni dżentelmeni, robiący poważne dżentelmeńskie rzeczy. (Swoją drogą słowo "dżentelmen" i różne jego odmiany pada w tej książce tyle razy, że teraz zawsze będzie mi się z nią kojarzyło).
Poza tym, przypisy – jedna z najlepszych części tej książki, serio. Mimo że bywały dosyć długie (jeden nawet na prawie trzy strony, z tego co pamiętam) to czyta się je bardzo ciekawie, dowiadując się ciekawostek, opowieści i ogólnie dodatkowych informacji do głównej fabuły i jej postaci, również tych które (jeszcze) nie miały okazji się pojawić.
A ogólna atmosfera chłodnego i zamglonego Londynu, herbaty i zakurzonych ksiąg idealnie się wpasowała w czas w którym to czytałem (znany jako końcówka października), dzięki czemu czytało się jeszcze lepiej.
Ogólnie polecam dać tej książce szansę i przebić się przez początek i problemy egzystencjalne magów-teoretyków, bo potem jest coraz lepiej.
Drugi tom czeka na biurku na przeczytanie, zobaczymy jak z nim pójdzie.
July 16, 2013
Técnica, ejecución e imaginación no tienen que enfrentarse, en absoluto.-
Género. Narrativa fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. En una Inglaterra decimonónica muy parecida a la de nuestra Historia, con la salvedad de que la magia existió realmente en el pasado, los magos actuales son teóricos del tema y amantes de los libros sobre el asunto. Cuando uno de ellos, el reservado y poco dotado socialmente Sr. Norrell, muestra que él sí puede usarla, las percepciones al respecto de la magia comienzan a cambiar e incluso se analiza la influencia potencial de la misma en la guerra contra Napoleón.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Narrativa fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. En una Inglaterra decimonónica muy parecida a la de nuestra Historia, con la salvedad de que la magia existió realmente en el pasado, los magos actuales son teóricos del tema y amantes de los libros sobre el asunto. Cuando uno de ellos, el reservado y poco dotado socialmente Sr. Norrell, muestra que él sí puede usarla, las percepciones al respecto de la magia comienzan a cambiar e incluso se analiza la influencia potencial de la misma en la guerra contra Napoleón.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
January 9, 2020
Nie mogę uwierzyć, że aż tyle czasu zajął mi powrót do tego cudeńka. Uwielbiam ten świat, postaci i narrację <3
May 10, 2022
zapomniałam już, że strange w tym tomie to wciąż bejbik jeszcze
August 31, 2016
Masih ada dua buku lagi :"( Ini siksaan.
Ceritanya tidak hanya tentang Mr Norrell. Ada banyak karakter yg menurutku hanya tambahan saja. Entah mereka akan muncul di buku kedua dan ketiga atau tidak.
Saya pernah baca buku ini dulu, tapi bertahan sampai halaman 40 saja. Untung saya beli buku ini saat sale. Saya benar benar bosan dan membaca ini rasanya seperti menggugurkan tugas saja. Sayang sudah beli buku tapi tidak dibaca.
Ceritanya tidak hanya tentang Mr Norrell. Ada banyak karakter yg menurutku hanya tambahan saja. Entah mereka akan muncul di buku kedua dan ketiga atau tidak.
Saya pernah baca buku ini dulu, tapi bertahan sampai halaman 40 saja. Untung saya beli buku ini saat sale. Saya benar benar bosan dan membaca ini rasanya seperti menggugurkan tugas saja. Sayang sudah beli buku tapi tidak dibaca.
April 19, 2015
I don't really know how to describe the special magic that this book has. It just flows so beautifully. Oh and if you want to know what people mean by "British humour", it's this. They mean this. Right here.
November 10, 2018
Tiga setengah bintang untuk jilid pertama buku ini… sekaligus serinya secara keseluruhan, deh. Seri ini sebenarnya bukan trilogi… melainkan satu narasi runut yang dipisah jadi tiga bagian, mungkin untuk pembaca yang keder kalau harus baca edisi satu buku yang tebalnya 1.000-an halaman. Jadi, jangan dibaca tidak urut entah kenapa, saya malah memisahkan review jadi tiga bagian.
Strange & Norrell pertama kali diterbitkan sewaktu seri si-anak-dengan-bekas-luka-di-jidat sedang di puncak popularitasnya. Orang jadi berekspektasi serupa dan membanding-bandingkan, padahal persamaan antara keduanya sebenarnya hanya soal:
(1) Sama-sama ada sihir
(2) Sama-sama di Inggris
Selebihnya, kedua seri ini beda drastis—ibarat membandingkan burung camar dengan kelelawar hanya karena keduanya punya sayap. Strange & Norrell menampilkan tokoh-tokoh yang lebih dewasa dan juga ditujukan untuk pembaca yang lebih dewasa. Sihir di sini juga bukan sesuatu yang magis atau menakjubkan, melainkan artefak lapuk yang tidak ada gunanya bagi masyarakat dan hanya jadi bahan perdebatan bapak-bapak yang cuma bisa berteori. Alih-alih soal Baik vs. Jahat, plot utamanya menyorot…..
…….ah, di sini lah menjengkelkannya novel ini: LAMA sekali sebelum akhirnya jelas plotnya mengarah ke mana. Bab-bab awalnya terasa lebih dijejali sarkasme ketimbang substansi, sedangkan karakter yang menarik atau menyenangkan sangat sedikit (*paling tidak sebelum Jonathan Strange dan istrinya, Arabella, nongol menjelang akhir jilid ini). Tokoh sentral di jilid ini, Norrell, sama sekali tidak mencerminkan protagonis cerita fantasi pada umumnya; orangnya picik, egois, pengecut, dan entah kenapa masih bisa bersikap belagu walaupun gampang dimanfaatkan. Untuk bisa menikmati jilid ini, saya rasa pemahaman kita haruslah tidak menganggap Norrell sebagai jagoan.... melainkan sosok yang pantas ditertawakan dan perlu mendapat pelajaran.
Namun, saya janji (*janji kelingking saja ya, bukan selevel sumpah pocong) bahwa kalau Anda mampu bersabar melewati bab-bab awal, kisahnya akan terasa lebih menarik. Paling tidak, saya sendiri langsung duduk tegak sewaktu . Temanya akan mengerucut ke pertentangan dua orang yang sangat berbeda dalam ‘membangkitkan kembali sihir di Inggris’, serta kemunculan sihir tenung yang membawa nuansa gelap pada ceritanya. Humornya semakin lama semakin mengena, sementara catatan-catatan kaki yang panjang-panjang menjadi sarana world-building yang cerdik melalui pembingkaian cerita-dalam-cerita.
Saat saya menyempatkan diri baca ulang jilid pertama ini sebelum menuntaskan serinya, ada hal-hal yang baru saya pahami. Bab awal yang dulunya menjemukan, jadi lebih lucu dan menarik. Nilai buku ini akan lebih terasa saat dibaca ulang, khususnya saat sudah terbiasa dengan gaya penokohannya dan sudah tahu arah tujuan Susanna Clarke bercerita. Tentunya, ekspektasinya harus sesuai juga: alih-alih soal aksi, nuansa hitam putih, dan petualangan fantasi, ini lebih berupa kontemplasi, nuansa kelabu, dan alegori politik…. dengan taburan humor sarkasme ala Inggris yang mewarnai hampir tiap halaman.
Strange & Norrell pertama kali diterbitkan sewaktu seri si-anak-dengan-bekas-luka-di-jidat sedang di puncak popularitasnya. Orang jadi berekspektasi serupa dan membanding-bandingkan, padahal persamaan antara keduanya sebenarnya hanya soal:
(1) Sama-sama ada sihir
(2) Sama-sama di Inggris
Selebihnya, kedua seri ini beda drastis—ibarat membandingkan burung camar dengan kelelawar hanya karena keduanya punya sayap. Strange & Norrell menampilkan tokoh-tokoh yang lebih dewasa dan juga ditujukan untuk pembaca yang lebih dewasa. Sihir di sini juga bukan sesuatu yang magis atau menakjubkan, melainkan artefak lapuk yang tidak ada gunanya bagi masyarakat dan hanya jadi bahan perdebatan bapak-bapak yang cuma bisa berteori. Alih-alih soal Baik vs. Jahat, plot utamanya menyorot…..
…….ah, di sini lah menjengkelkannya novel ini: LAMA sekali sebelum akhirnya jelas plotnya mengarah ke mana. Bab-bab awalnya terasa lebih dijejali sarkasme ketimbang substansi, sedangkan karakter yang menarik atau menyenangkan sangat sedikit (*paling tidak sebelum Jonathan Strange dan istrinya, Arabella, nongol menjelang akhir jilid ini). Tokoh sentral di jilid ini, Norrell, sama sekali tidak mencerminkan protagonis cerita fantasi pada umumnya; orangnya picik, egois, pengecut, dan entah kenapa masih bisa bersikap belagu walaupun gampang dimanfaatkan. Untuk bisa menikmati jilid ini, saya rasa pemahaman kita haruslah tidak menganggap Norrell sebagai jagoan.... melainkan sosok yang pantas ditertawakan dan perlu mendapat pelajaran.
Namun, saya janji (*janji kelingking saja ya, bukan selevel sumpah pocong) bahwa kalau Anda mampu bersabar melewati bab-bab awal, kisahnya akan terasa lebih menarik. Paling tidak, saya sendiri langsung duduk tegak sewaktu . Temanya akan mengerucut ke pertentangan dua orang yang sangat berbeda dalam ‘membangkitkan kembali sihir di Inggris’, serta kemunculan sihir tenung yang membawa nuansa gelap pada ceritanya. Humornya semakin lama semakin mengena, sementara catatan-catatan kaki yang panjang-panjang menjadi sarana world-building yang cerdik melalui pembingkaian cerita-dalam-cerita.
Saat saya menyempatkan diri baca ulang jilid pertama ini sebelum menuntaskan serinya, ada hal-hal yang baru saya pahami. Bab awal yang dulunya menjemukan, jadi lebih lucu dan menarik. Nilai buku ini akan lebih terasa saat dibaca ulang, khususnya saat sudah terbiasa dengan gaya penokohannya dan sudah tahu arah tujuan Susanna Clarke bercerita. Tentunya, ekspektasinya harus sesuai juga: alih-alih soal aksi, nuansa hitam putih, dan petualangan fantasi, ini lebih berupa kontemplasi, nuansa kelabu, dan alegori politik…. dengan taburan humor sarkasme ala Inggris yang mewarnai hampir tiap halaman.
January 24, 2021
I suppose there's nothing wrong with the prose it's just not to my liking. It was boring. No other word for it and I felt nauseous, but perhaps that was due to something else. Anyway I tried reading it for two hours, went through over a hundred of the pages and just was not invested in learning more. I don't know if I've ever read anything drier. I have read scientific studies with more wit and intrigue. It is like the book is a manifestation of Mr. Norrell and while he is cited as being quite dull by every character, this book is very dull. I even enjoy Jane Austen's writing compared to this. I didn't even get to meet Jonathan Strange because I hadn't advanced far enough for his name to even have any weight or mention. Which is quite disappointing since the title of the book is Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, yet Strange isn't even the first character brought to our attention.
if you like the crusty feeling of listening to an age old story with characters that like to use pomp and a wordy vernacular to impress others, then perhaps you will advance farther than me. I could not read any further, because my car had finally been serviced and I could leave, and I also did not want to spend any more time trying to muscle my way through it. I could finish this, but that seems like a sacrifice on my part.
So to review, the book itself is written very well in what it is meant to be, but how it is written is of no interest to me.
if you like the crusty feeling of listening to an age old story with characters that like to use pomp and a wordy vernacular to impress others, then perhaps you will advance farther than me. I could not read any further, because my car had finally been serviced and I could leave, and I also did not want to spend any more time trying to muscle my way through it. I could finish this, but that seems like a sacrifice on my part.
So to review, the book itself is written very well in what it is meant to be, but how it is written is of no interest to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2014
Here are some books I thought of while reading this book:
Against the Day (Pynchon)
The Dalkey Archives (Flann O'Brien)
Wizard of Earth Sea (LeGuin)
Anything by Jane Austen)
Jack Maggs (Peter Carey)
If I had read more gothic ghost stories, I'd name drop one of them as well, but I haven't - but there were times it all felt a bit scary.
All of which is to say that although it was about magic, it was also about early 19th century England and the way those people viewed themselves (and Europe) and the way they coped with change.
It's long, but rich on detail and completely bound up in it's events and its backstory which, as the story wears on, becomes more and more relevant - pay attention!
Against the Day (Pynchon)
The Dalkey Archives (Flann O'Brien)
Wizard of Earth Sea (LeGuin)
Anything by Jane Austen)
Jack Maggs (Peter Carey)
If I had read more gothic ghost stories, I'd name drop one of them as well, but I haven't - but there were times it all felt a bit scary.
All of which is to say that although it was about magic, it was also about early 19th century England and the way those people viewed themselves (and Europe) and the way they coped with change.
It's long, but rich on detail and completely bound up in it's events and its backstory which, as the story wears on, becomes more and more relevant - pay attention!
October 26, 2015
I read the first part and now I feel like I have to keep a small break before continuing.
This book is funny, because at parts I loved the language but the plot was just incredibly boring, and at times the plot is interesting, but the writing annoys me so much I wanna throw the book out of the window. And she uses the word "cried" way, way, way too much. I just feel like this big epic book should have been shorter and she should have spent more time with the editing.
This book is funny, because at parts I loved the language but the plot was just incredibly boring, and at times the plot is interesting, but the writing annoys me so much I wanna throw the book out of the window. And she uses the word "cried" way, way, way too much. I just feel like this big epic book should have been shorter and she should have spent more time with the editing.
dnf
November 16, 2020Not for me. Extremely slow and written like an academic textbook.
October 6, 2024
re-read
ta książka jest dla mnie monumentalna
ta książka jest dla mnie monumentalna
May 15, 2021
Jonathan Strange ve Bay Norrel serisini @kfenomeni ile okumaya başladık. Susanna Clarke'ın bu üçlemesi Zeynuşum'un tavsiyesiydi ve ilk cilt başlangıç kitabı olarak bizi memnun etti🧙🏻♀️
▪️
Hikaye 1800lü yılların İngiltere'sinde geçiyor. İngiltere Fransa savaşı devam ediyor, Napoleon dönemi. İngilizler savaşta üstünlük sağlamak için yollar ararken sahneye büyü yapabildiğini söyleyen Bay Norrel çıkıyor.
▪️
İlk cilt Bay Norrel üzerine kurulu ve genel olarak karakteri tanıyoruz. Münzevi bir hayat yaşayan büyücünün Londra'ya taşınmasıyla olaylar hızlanıyor. Bu arada o dönemin İngiliz yaşam tarzı, siyasi olayları da yazar tarafından ustaca hikayeye yedirilmiş.
▪️
Kitapta çok fazla dipnot var ancak, ben dipnotları okumaktan da çok keyif aldım. Bazı dipnotlar kitaptan bağımsız hikayeler içeriyor, yazar sanki kitap içinde kitap yazmış gibi.👌🏻 Bu yüzden dipnotlar gözünüzü korkutmasın, derim.
▪️
İlk cilt başlangıç kitabı olarak bence oldukça başarılıydı. Bay Norrel'in büyüleri ve akabinde gelişen olaylar kitabı merakla okumamızı sağladı. Yazarın dili de oldukça sade ve akıcı.
▪️
@alfakitap çevirisi ve baskısı gerçekten çok iyi👌🏻Punto büyüklüğü de kitabı çok rahat okumamı sağladı. İkinci kitapta sanırım Jonathan Strange'i okuyacağız, şimdiden meraktayım.
▪️
Hikaye 1800lü yılların İngiltere'sinde geçiyor. İngiltere Fransa savaşı devam ediyor, Napoleon dönemi. İngilizler savaşta üstünlük sağlamak için yollar ararken sahneye büyü yapabildiğini söyleyen Bay Norrel çıkıyor.
▪️
İlk cilt Bay Norrel üzerine kurulu ve genel olarak karakteri tanıyoruz. Münzevi bir hayat yaşayan büyücünün Londra'ya taşınmasıyla olaylar hızlanıyor. Bu arada o dönemin İngiliz yaşam tarzı, siyasi olayları da yazar tarafından ustaca hikayeye yedirilmiş.
▪️
Kitapta çok fazla dipnot var ancak, ben dipnotları okumaktan da çok keyif aldım. Bazı dipnotlar kitaptan bağımsız hikayeler içeriyor, yazar sanki kitap içinde kitap yazmış gibi.👌🏻 Bu yüzden dipnotlar gözünüzü korkutmasın, derim.
▪️
İlk cilt başlangıç kitabı olarak bence oldukça başarılıydı. Bay Norrel'in büyüleri ve akabinde gelişen olaylar kitabı merakla okumamızı sağladı. Yazarın dili de oldukça sade ve akıcı.
▪️
@alfakitap çevirisi ve baskısı gerçekten çok iyi👌🏻Punto büyüklüğü de kitabı çok rahat okumamı sağladı. İkinci kitapta sanırım Jonathan Strange'i okuyacağız, şimdiden meraktayım.
February 19, 2023
Uwielbiam tę książkę całym sercem. Jej humor idealnie trafia w moje gusta, a zwrot "dżentelmen" zostanie na zawsze w mojej pamięci jako powiązany z Jonathanem Strangem i Panem Norallem. Styl pisania również jest bardzo swobodny i przyjemnie się to czyta. Jedyne co mogę zarzucić to momentami miałam wrażenie że autorce skończyła się wena a i tak dalej pisała, co daje raczej mierny efekt i są momenty, gdzie fabuła po prostu się zatyka, ale są to pojedyncze momenty więc książka dostaje ode mnie 4 z plusem
November 26, 2020
4,5 stars for enchanting me to the strange and dark magic world and i really enjoying myself in that particular world
this book is about magic , politic , dark gloomy scenes , enchanted spell and prophecy
full of long interesting footnote that reminds me of Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy
the soft humor made me chuckle a lot
Just a suggestion : buy the whole set already because once you finished the first book you probably want to go to second book as soon as possible
this book is about magic , politic , dark gloomy scenes , enchanted spell and prophecy
full of long interesting footnote that reminds me of Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy
the soft humor made me chuckle a lot
Just a suggestion : buy the whole set already because once you finished the first book you probably want to go to second book as soon as possible
April 6, 2014
I just read the last page of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, a goal that for some time I doubted I would achieve. I would like to write something about it while the experience of reading it is still fresh.
I borrowed this book from a friend because the hint of the story written on its back intrigued me. For one-hundred-fifty pages or so, I wondered in what sort of mess I had put myself, since I could not recall such a heavy reading in years and I am not used to put a book down unless it's finished. Then something changed. Something clicked. The fastidious, tedious, absolutely unattractive little Mr Norrell did something. He quite simply did something, and the gentleman with the thistle-down hair appeared in the story. From then on, I was absolutely chained to the book.
I don't want to talk too much about the plot, taking the pleasure away from whom has not yet read this book - I would not dare! So, I'll try to keep comments on the plot at a minimum.
The first and foremost thing to say about this book is: it is a wonderful work of imagination. Of course, books of fiction are usually works built for the greatest part upon imagination, but what I mean is that it's been long time since I read something written by a writer who was gifted with such wonderful, crazy imagination. Not only Susanna Clarke writes for us an unusual story where real past and imagined Forever mingle perfectly, but she also adds bibliographical references of books that have never been written, footnotes about history that never happened, and wonderful details of folklore that are as enchanting as the main plot. This book is halfway between a novel and an academic work. Only someone gifted with an extraordinary imaginative power could produce something so wildly fictional and at the same time so detailed that is sounds credible. From this perspective, it is an amazing work and I don't believe there are many other writers at the moment as much gifted as Clarke from this perspective.
Secondly, a word must be spent over her writing style.
As I said, the first part of the book is quite hard to read, principally because its chief character soon results to be far from appealing. I will not go into details, but what happened to me was that, while I read, I wondered: "why should I keep going? This guy should be the most incredible creature in the world, the only English magician! Why doesn't he do something? He seems to be nothing but a disagreeable little man who is continuously making wrong choices! Where is Jonathan Strange?" What I can suggest to those who are willing to read this book is: have faith! It is a long book, and as such it require long times! In time, you will understand why Mr Norrell has to be so annoying! Clarke has a touch for characters: they change, they grow, they are alive, they are credible. which, personally, I believe is 80% of what makes a good book.
Sometimes, it's true, all the footnotes may complicate the reading a bit. One may wonder what good is it to spend so much time on the tale of a milkmaid of some odd village in 15th century England, and why on earth don't we go ahead with the story instead. As I said, the vast majority of the footnotes are very entertaining; if, however, you just want to go ahead with the reading, remember that they are just footnotes. It won't do any harm to skip a very long one if you wish to continue reading, and you can go back to it later!
The most outstanding feature of this book is that it is set in early 19th century England, during the Napoleonic wars and in the years immediately before and after. It was a quite eventful period, so how is one supposed to fit magic in it and not to make something weird? Well, be prepared to see wonders. Everything, absolutely everything of those years can be found in the book, from Lord Wellington to Lord Byron, from the war in the Peninsula to the Italy of the Grand Tour, from George Cruikshank to the Edinburgh Review. Magic is so perfectly embroidered in the fabric of history that one may actually believe that a York Society of Magicians actually existed.
Finally, yes, it is a long book, a very long one. Yet, perhaps we need long books nowadays. We have so little time that even the books we read must be quick. This book, however, so long, and yet always showing images so vivid, clear and colorful as the images on the screen we are used to, might be exactly what we need. The power of a great TV series and the magic of a book. Actually, I think that the way the book is structured would suit an adaptation into screenplay very well, and when I first realized, I shuddered at the idea of someone willing to make it a movie. Unless someone makes a trilogy out of it, in the same fashion of Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, "I am afraid it would be quite impossible", to use Mr Norrell's words. Almost everything would be lost: the plot's details, the characters' complexity... No later than half an hour ago, yet, I discovered BBC is going to make a TV series out of it. At first, I thought "Oh, no!" But then, why not? BBC gave us some of the best TV series we could enjoy. Actually, I am quite curious and I am looking forward to it. I have many expectations, ladies and gentlemen of the BBC!
And you, what are you doing here? Why aren't you going to get your copy of the book?
I borrowed this book from a friend because the hint of the story written on its back intrigued me. For one-hundred-fifty pages or so, I wondered in what sort of mess I had put myself, since I could not recall such a heavy reading in years and I am not used to put a book down unless it's finished. Then something changed. Something clicked. The fastidious, tedious, absolutely unattractive little Mr Norrell did something. He quite simply did something, and the gentleman with the thistle-down hair appeared in the story. From then on, I was absolutely chained to the book.
I don't want to talk too much about the plot, taking the pleasure away from whom has not yet read this book - I would not dare! So, I'll try to keep comments on the plot at a minimum.
The first and foremost thing to say about this book is: it is a wonderful work of imagination. Of course, books of fiction are usually works built for the greatest part upon imagination, but what I mean is that it's been long time since I read something written by a writer who was gifted with such wonderful, crazy imagination. Not only Susanna Clarke writes for us an unusual story where real past and imagined Forever mingle perfectly, but she also adds bibliographical references of books that have never been written, footnotes about history that never happened, and wonderful details of folklore that are as enchanting as the main plot. This book is halfway between a novel and an academic work. Only someone gifted with an extraordinary imaginative power could produce something so wildly fictional and at the same time so detailed that is sounds credible. From this perspective, it is an amazing work and I don't believe there are many other writers at the moment as much gifted as Clarke from this perspective.
Secondly, a word must be spent over her writing style.
As I said, the first part of the book is quite hard to read, principally because its chief character soon results to be far from appealing. I will not go into details, but what happened to me was that, while I read, I wondered: "why should I keep going? This guy should be the most incredible creature in the world, the only English magician! Why doesn't he do something? He seems to be nothing but a disagreeable little man who is continuously making wrong choices! Where is Jonathan Strange?" What I can suggest to those who are willing to read this book is: have faith! It is a long book, and as such it require long times! In time, you will understand why Mr Norrell has to be so annoying! Clarke has a touch for characters: they change, they grow, they are alive, they are credible. which, personally, I believe is 80% of what makes a good book.
Sometimes, it's true, all the footnotes may complicate the reading a bit. One may wonder what good is it to spend so much time on the tale of a milkmaid of some odd village in 15th century England, and why on earth don't we go ahead with the story instead. As I said, the vast majority of the footnotes are very entertaining; if, however, you just want to go ahead with the reading, remember that they are just footnotes. It won't do any harm to skip a very long one if you wish to continue reading, and you can go back to it later!
The most outstanding feature of this book is that it is set in early 19th century England, during the Napoleonic wars and in the years immediately before and after. It was a quite eventful period, so how is one supposed to fit magic in it and not to make something weird? Well, be prepared to see wonders. Everything, absolutely everything of those years can be found in the book, from Lord Wellington to Lord Byron, from the war in the Peninsula to the Italy of the Grand Tour, from George Cruikshank to the Edinburgh Review. Magic is so perfectly embroidered in the fabric of history that one may actually believe that a York Society of Magicians actually existed.
Finally, yes, it is a long book, a very long one. Yet, perhaps we need long books nowadays. We have so little time that even the books we read must be quick. This book, however, so long, and yet always showing images so vivid, clear and colorful as the images on the screen we are used to, might be exactly what we need. The power of a great TV series and the magic of a book. Actually, I think that the way the book is structured would suit an adaptation into screenplay very well, and when I first realized, I shuddered at the idea of someone willing to make it a movie. Unless someone makes a trilogy out of it, in the same fashion of Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, "I am afraid it would be quite impossible", to use Mr Norrell's words. Almost everything would be lost: the plot's details, the characters' complexity... No later than half an hour ago, yet, I discovered BBC is going to make a TV series out of it. At first, I thought "Oh, no!" But then, why not? BBC gave us some of the best TV series we could enjoy. Actually, I am quite curious and I am looking forward to it. I have many expectations, ladies and gentlemen of the BBC!
And you, what are you doing here? Why aren't you going to get your copy of the book?
January 19, 2020
Uwielbiam tę XIX-to wieczną manierę! Niby w książce nie dzieje się wiele, ale wciąga już od pierwszej strony. Czyta się powoli z namaszczeniem, delektując się każdym zdaniem. Miejscami przypomina mi nieco Mistrza i Małgorzatę ale - może ze względu na piękny język powieści - odpowiada mi dużo bardziej niż książka Bułhakowa.
December 2, 2025
3.25
ciekawe, nie wybitne, ale na tyle ciekawe że lecimy z drugą częścią
ciekawe, nie wybitne, ale na tyle ciekawe że lecimy z drugą częścią
May 10, 2021
My only question is... but why? What was the point? I didn't feel like this book accomplished anything... which is quite the feat seeing as it's over 1000 pages. I felt like I didn't really get anything from it. It wasn't necessarily laborious to get through, but it literally had no point.
I appreciated the way it was written- kind of in a biography-type way- and the footnotes were entertaining, but again... why? I feel like I didn't learn anything additional about magic or the world through the footnotes.
Anyway, was so excited to read it because long books are epic sagas that have amazing stories, but this was a severe let down.
I appreciated the way it was written- kind of in a biography-type way- and the footnotes were entertaining, but again... why? I feel like I didn't learn anything additional about magic or the world through the footnotes.
Anyway, was so excited to read it because long books are epic sagas that have amazing stories, but this was a severe let down.
December 1, 2024
Pozytywne zaskoczenie, choć początek mnie trochę zamulał.
November 19, 2024
Imala sam osećaj kao da čitam klasični roman. Radnja je malo sporija, prožeta humorom, a mrzovoljni gospodin Norel (kojim smo se mnogo više bavili u ovom prvom delu) i bezbrižni Džonatan Strejndž se još uvek nisu ni sreli tako da se nadam uzbudljivijem drugom delu
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