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  • could not get into this book

    

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• ― Vfwkim said on Aug 9, 2008 about the Paperback edition| Add your feedback

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  • Brilliant story

  • Okay, so the beginning may have been a little bit slow - but not enough to put you off of the book. And as you keep reading, you realise how necessary all of it was.

    The character and location development is gorgeous. The storytelling is witty and intelligent and moves along well after the fir ... Continue

    Okay, so the beginning may have been a little bit slow - but not enough to put you off of the book. And as you keep reading, you realise how necessary all of it was.

    The character and location development is gorgeous. The storytelling is witty and intelligent and moves along well after the first bit.

    I absolutely loved the story, mostly because of its depth and intelligence.

    

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• ― Joel Goodman said on Jun 5, 2008 about the Hardcover edition| Add your feedback

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  • My thoughts

  • I admit when I first saw this book I was reluctant to read it - not because of the subject. I like books about magic and history, but because of the size. From the beginning, however, Clarke's writing pulled me into this world in which magic is studied and practiced, used and misunderstood. I especi ... Continue

    I admit when I first saw this book I was reluctant to read it - not because of the subject. I like books about magic and history, but because of the size. From the beginning, however, Clarke's writing pulled me into this world in which magic is studied and practiced, used and misunderstood. I especially liked the interactions between Norrell and Strange and the ones between the servant Stephen Black and the faery gentleman with the thistle-down hair.

    

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• ― krin5292 said on May 30, 2008 about the Hardcover edition| Add your feedback

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  • This book started a bit slowly but I gradually became very engrossed in it. I found myself feeling that this was very real and I couldn't figure out why I didn't know a lot of this history!

    

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• ― Mccauslinj said on May 15, 2008 about the Hardcover edition| Add your feedback

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  • 

  • Finally finished this book on audiobook. Was too long for me, and I'm just not crazy about the Victorian type prose.

    

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• ― Avi said on Jan 24, 2008 about the Hardcover edition| Add your feedback

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  • 

  • I thought this book might end up being a little Harry Potter-ish, but it was actually quite different and just as enjoyable in a different sense. The only reason I didn't give it four stars is because it was so long and I wish I could alter the ending just a bit. Very worth the read though!

    

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• ― Rice Cooker said on Dec 3, 2007 about the Audio CD edition| Add your feedback

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England’s history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England—until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell’s student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.Time Magazine #1 Book of the Year « Book Sense Book of the Year « People Top Ten Books of the Year « Winner of the Hugo Award « A New York Times Notable Book of the Year « Salon.com Top Ten of 2004 «Winner of the World Fantasy Award « Nancy Pearl’s Top 12 Books of 2004 « Washington Post Book World’s Best of 2004 « Christian Science Monitor Best Fiction 2004 « San Francisco Chronicle Best Books of 2004 « Winner of the Locus Award for Best First Novel « Chicago Tribune Best of 2004 « Seattle Times 25 Best Books of 2004 « Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 12 Books of 2004 « Village Voice “Top Shelf” « Raleigh News & Observer Best of 2004 « Rocky Mountain News critics’ favorites of 2004 « Kansas City Star 100 Newsworthy Books of 2004 « Fort Worth Star-Telegram 10 Best Books of 2004 « Hartford Courant Best Books of 2004

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