Reading the Chunksters discussion

So, thoughts and feeling on Week 3's section??

AGH. What a FANTASTIC section. I love the water ships I thought that was very cleverly done, and was happy to see Mr. Norrell do something to aid in the war effort. I do hope that means we get to see more of this sort of magic.

Also, I dont have my kindle with me, but I think its the end of Chapter 15, when all the footman are telling the butler how they heard "the saddest music" or thought they saw a man standing over the Lady. I thought that this was such an excellently done section, it gave my chills, and really flamed my curiosity!

Yep, I agree, really great section! The water ships were a great idea and I like the way that whole chapter was written.

The magical elements are really charming and imaginative, like the descriptions of the ladies' dresses at the ball. I'm particularly intrigued by the dress covered in tiny singing mouths. I think the author is doing a good job weaving together humour, imagination and creepiness in this book.

I'm finding that I'm not liking Mr Norrell all that much. He's far too fussy and self-important. What do you guys think?

ayanami wrote: "I'm finding that I'm not liking Mr Norrell all that much. He's far too fussy and self-important. What do you guys think?
..."

I don't think I was ever a fan of his. He just struck me as so self loving and conceited from the start, I almost wonder how it fits in his personality to want to help in the war.

If I didn't have so many other books that I need to get to right now (including BK), I would have read on after this last section, it was super hard to stop.

Mr Norrell is up to some tricks sending those people round the country to hunt out false magicians, isn't he! Trying to monopolise things! I wonder how he will react to Jonathan Strange when they meet.

I liked lots of things in this section. It was good to see Jonathan Strange at last. It seems that Lost Hope House is kind of superimposed on the Poles' house. Interesting things could be in store there. I liked Stephen Black.

Rosemary wrote: "I liked lots of things in this section. It was good to see Jonathan Strange at last. It seems that Lost Hope House is kind of superimposed on the Poles' house. Interesting things could be in store there. I liked Stephen Black. "

I loved this section too! Lost Hope House seems so interesting and I can't wait to see what happens with the fairy. I really like Stephen Black too. I thought it was pretty funny that everyone thinks he's royalty because that's the only reason that a black person could be so authoritative. I wonder if he'll get whisked away by the fairy too. I thought it was kind of like a fairy tale how Stephen Black was taken by a fairy to escape his life of servitude to be a guest at a ball - like Cinderella.

I am officially sucked into this book. This section was fantastic. The ships were genius, we get a taste of Jonathan Strange, and The Lost Hope House. I really like Stephen Black as well. Can not wait to see what comes next!!

Woops I had only read to the end of chapter 15, not 16. I still think that chapter 15 was just divine in its ending. So spooky. Chapter 16 was incredibly interesting too... everything is happening in the same place, and the faeries seem a little creepy. Glad Stephen seemed to enjoy himself though.

I am interested to see how Stephen Black plays in to the whole thing. This book is beyond easy to read (even with the footnotes) and I'm afraid I'm going to be reading ahead! I like the fantastical magic and love the part with the box the color of spinster tears...all gentlemen carry fingers in these types of boxes. I also like the idea of two very well looking and complimentary men looking and talking about themselves in the mirror! I wonder what Lady Pole will remember about her visit to The Lost Hope house.

Chapter 16 was by far by fav chapter so far - i like how the story has become more fantastical - i hope it continues on in this vein!

Yes! Jonathan Strange has made an appearance. I hope we find out more about him soon... I suppose we will in the next book since it's titled after him. This just seems like a tease.

I loved this section, especially the humor--I laughed aloud at a few bits. I also loved the whole scene with Lady Pole's dinner and then the ball at Lost Hope House.

I haven't finished reading this section, but how cool that Jonathan Strange is from Shropshire too; a fellow Salopian, woo! Loved the description of the mermaid figurehead and how she lashed her tail, and how the British navy took advantage of the empty French sea thanks to the marvellous warships made from raindrops. Very clever and wonderfully depicted.

Glynis wrote: "I haven't finished reading this section, but how cool that Jonathan Strange is from Shropshire too; a fellow Salopian, woo! Loved the description of the mermaid figurehead and how she lashed her ta..."


Salopian? I don't know this word, must go google :D

I loved the mermaid bit as well, although I do love mermaids so.

Great section. I agree with all the comments above. So much going on in just these last 50 pages.

@ Stephanie Salop is an old abbreviation for the county of Shropshire. In 1972 the official name of Shropshire was 'Salop', but a local councillor campaigned to change the name back to Shropshire, so in 1980 Salop was no more. Rumour has it that the name was changed to avoid connotations with the French word of Salope, which I understand is not a nice word ;-) I don't know if that is true!

Jonathan Strange finally came to the limelight in this novel. I really enjoy reading the parts of the book about the mores and lifestyle and how magical is interwoven into the everyday life. It is very hard to pinpoint the genre of the book - it has the elements of satire, fantasy, irony, and it is also a historical novel. But I should confess, the elements of pure fantasy are the least attractive in this novel for me so far (I am not a great fantasy fan, and modern fantasy fiction does not give many chances to hope it will be my favorite one due to the often formulaic and predictable plots). Thus, the element with the ships was funny, but not mind-boggling. The dress with the singing mouths, on the other hand, was very unusual due to its creepy nature.
And I found that the episode about the death of Mr. Strange quite entertaining.

Loved the part about the finger in the box. Clearly, the man with the thistle-down hair is exerting a great infuence over Stephen Black - "convincing" him that all men carry small white fingers in snuff boxes and "convncing" to come to the party. As for Mr. Norrell, he clearly wants all the attention and fame. No sharing of magical abilities for him.

I got behind on this due to craziness at work, finally getting caught back up.

I agree with everything said here -- the water ships were a wonderful idea; I was glad they finally found a way for him to help that everyone could agree on. And the comments about Mr. Black obviously being secretly royal, and the comments about the servants hearing music and seeing the green man etc...

And especially Mr. Strange's death. Serves him right -- seems like he was kind of a jerk! I couldn't believe how badly he treated the new servant, even if he did offend him some regarding the wine.

Can't wait to read more and get caught up with the rest of you.

It does seem to be following with someone's (I don't remember whose?) guess from the last section that the fairy is taking his half of Lady Pole at night; I'm sure she remembers nothing of it in the morning. I wonder if it's like those fairy tales where the ladies are whisked away every night and never remember the adventures, but are always oddly tired (although Lady Pole seems to have an abundance of energy) until someone breaks the spell. Very curious to see where that leads.

I loved how Clarke is slowly adding in the extremely creepy elements while also making everything seem just on the edge of "well, I SUPPOSE it could happen," at least to the characters involved. It's odd that they don't seem to question the magic, but to welcome it. Weren't the English and others very much against magic at the time as being very "unChristian?" Or was that more the Dark Ages?

I love the following line from chapter 16:

"She wore a gown the colour of storms, shadows and rain and a necklace of broken promises and regrets."

Clarke, Susanna (2010-06-05). Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (p. 162). Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Kindle Edition.