Reading the Chunksters discussion

Thought??

HOW COULD JONATHAN STRANGE NOT GUESS THAT ARABELLA HAD BEEN ENCHANTED? Excuse me for shouting, but really ... :-(

i know right!!?? i think it goes back to what i was saying before...

You mean this part, right? I didn't see it before but it's very interesting, you could well be right. Reduces my frustration to think of it this way, anyway ;-)

Quoting Stephanie:
I find it interesting that he sees ThistleDown as a threat, but not the right kind of threat, even though Arabella is saying all the right things, inadvertently, for him to piece the puzzle together. I think it if Pole or Norrell were telling him the same things that she is (Lady Pole babbles and talks in riddles, Lady Pole seems to have a secret, Stephen Black seems to have the same affliction), I know he'd notice and do something about it. It is sad that he only listens to what his wife says when it suits him. He does love his wife, but he loves her like most men of his day loved women (more as possessions than people) and he knows better, he knows that women are capable of great things. He's having a hard time reconciling his two views of women and that is a detriment to him and worse than if he were just a typical man of his time.

Rosemary wrote: "You mean this part, right? I didn't see it before but it's very interesting, you could well be right. Reduces my frustration to think of it this way, anyway ;-)

Quoting Stephanie:
I find it inter..."

yes...the very point. i should've looked it up myself. i'm sorry. it reduces my frustration too! :D

I wonder if Strange had ever really considered that fairies were walking around. He has been somewhat sheltered (magically) by Norrell. Also, I wonder if Thistledown could have come into "this world" as it were, if Norrell hadn't invited him. Intriguing section!

Yay! I'm caught up. Wow, I didn't expect Volume II to end like that.

I think that Strange was so pre-occupied with his magic that he became oblivious to most other things. Plus except for Mr. Hyde's account of what he saw, I don't recall there being much by way of clues of Arabella's enchantment. Then again, perhaps I'm simply as oblivious as Strange was :)

Great ending to the week! I don't mean I wish for Arabella to die, it was sort of a shocker to have read that!

Tasha wrote: "Great ending to the week! I don't mean I wish for Arabella to die, it was sort of a shocker to have read that!"

Arabella was a favorite of mine so I was sad to see her go.

Sera wrote: "Yay! I'm caught up. Wow, I didn't expect Volume II to end like that.

I think that Strange was so pre-occupied with his magic that he became oblivious to most other things. Plus except for Mr. Hy..."

I think there are several clues that should lead Strange to see that Arabella is acting just like Lady Pole and if Strange would have been paying attention he could have helped both of them. Then again, if Norrell had been more forthcoming maybe Strange would have been taught to read the signs.

In fairness to Norell (and I can assure you that I am no fan), if Strange would have been more forthcoming, perhaps Mrs. Strange would have been saved as well. I just wish that they would have stayed together. Hopefully, they will reconcile in Volume 3. I can't wait!

Jonathan Strange didn't seem to have any trouble seeing that something funny was going on with the King and protecting him, so I thought he could have done the same for Arabella!

But I'm hoping Arabella will come back - Lady Pole did!

But if I got it right, Arabella - the real Arabella - isn't dead, it was only the moss-oak. I like Arabella too. She is the right woman for Strange.

I found it hard to believe Strange didn't think of enchantment and fairies being involved. Several characters noted the sound of bells; it should be obvious that something otherlandish was going on. Also when Strange couldn't find Arabella with his silver bowl he could have concluded that she must be in the Other Lands. But no...

I wonder what Norrell will say about this. Maybe he and Strange can become friendly again.

I definitly do not think that the real Arabella is dead ( just finished this section last night). I think it was the moss-oak as well, and that the real Arabella has basically been kidnapped.

I'm not surprised that Strange didn't think anything was wrong with Arabella. Up until recently she had only been talking to a gentleman when she was Lady Pole, that's not entirely stragne. Annnnd I dont think he really believes that faeries and mystical lands are still accessible to humans.

When he heard the first story from Mr. Hyde he just thought the man was drunk, considering they knew that Arabella was in the house. I do hope that allt he stories about bells, and her being in a black dress, and all of that will give it away. Considering how unobservant Strange is in all matters, and how large a body of magical knowledge he is missing, I'm not surprised he didn't see it.

I do wonder if this is the part where he will now spend his days on a lonely highway looking for a black tower to try and find the real Arabella. He really does love her I think.

I think he loves her too. He's just an odd duck.

I think that the 'blindness' that affected Mr. Strange has been hinted at in the earlier chapters. I also think that Mr.Strange has been self-centered for the last chapters - he did not respond to endorse the initiative to start a school, he started writing his book, he was quite rude with Mr. Hyde and his brother-in-law. So he was very self-involved and self- immersed, and the fairy chose that time to strike and test Mr. Strange's ability. I do hope it is not the real Arabella who died, but it could be a harsh and very useful lesson for Mr. Strange. You do not take your loving wife for granted! Writing books is great, but family is first and foremost.

P.S. I always enjoy reading chapters about Mr. Segundus. They are not threatening (I mean nothing dramatic and cataclysmic takes place), and they are permeated by the nostalgic and bitter-sweet tone.

Also, does Norrell remind anyone else of Causabon from Middlemarch? He keeps trying and trying to write this book, but he'll never get there, because he is an insecure and sad little man.

Becky wrote: "Also, does Norrell remind anyone else of Causabon from Middlemarch? He keeps trying and trying to write this book, but he'll never get there, because he is an insecure and sad little man."

Interesting comparison, Becky.

Zulfiya wrote: "I think that the 'blindness' that affected Mr. Strange has been hinted at in the earlier chapters. I also think that Mr.Strange has been self-centered for the last chapters - he did not respond to ..."

i love this! and, me too, i like mr. segundus and am glad he's back.

Stephanie wrote: "Zulfiya wrote: "I think that the 'blindness' that affected Mr. Strange has been hinted at in the earlier chapters. I also think that Mr.Strange has been self-centered for the last chapters - he did..."


Stephanie, as far as i can see, you really enjoyed the book! You read it some time ago but you still keep posting and commenting! It is SO WONDERFUL that books can be so inspirational! This one is so much fun to read!

It is fun to read! It's so different from other books I read.

Zulfiya wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Zulfiya wrote: "I think that the 'blindness' that affected Mr. Strange has been hinted at in the earlier chapters. I also think that Mr.Strange has been self-centered for the last..."

i can't help it1 it is such a wonderful book and i like the way clarke ties everything together. can't wait to talk about that!

Clarke really does have a particular flavor to her writing doesn't she? Its not overpowering, its just lightly sweet so you keep coming back for more I would describe her writing as lighty fruity sweet with a whipped texture, and a crunch underneath.(sorry I've been on a baking kick lately, everything is getting realted back to food).

Haha, love it, Becky! :)

Whilst Strange has the talent for magic, he is still learning. He isn't as serious as Casaubon and although he probably takes Arabella for granted, he does love her and is capable of loving her. I do think it odd he didn't think black magic was involved, but then it was only the king's red cap that (eventually) reminded him that red wards off dark magic. He is capable of defeating Thistledown and will probably do a Norrell and lock himself in his library until he learns what happened to Arabella. Reckon he'll be stepping back into the lonely mirror highways in order to find her, and sometimes I wonder if Thistledown is John Uskglass.

Just remembered the Raven king is human so he can't be Thistledown ;)

Wow that was surprising in the end! Glad you guys (and gals!) pointed out that this is probably a fake Arabella. Somehow I hadn't considered that is what they were doing with the moss oak.

Can't wait to keep reading :D

Deana wrote: "Wow that was surprising in the end! Glad you guys (and gals!) pointed out that this is probably a fake Arabella. Somehow I hadn't considered that is what they were doing with the moss oak.

Can't w..."

I missed that, too, I'd forgotten about the trees! Which makes more sense, as it reminds me of those servants who felt like there was a forest growing closer to the house, like Thistledown is collecting more prizes. I'm sure the real Arabella will come back, but I'm sure there will be a massive showdown beforehand.

Poor Mr. Segundus! He just can't catch a break!

And I think it's a good wake-up call for Strange. Study is all well and good, but live a little, too!