Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke – a read-along

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Every once in a while I come across a book that sounds like a lot of fun but the size makes me question my willingness to get involved in reading it. Such a book was Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell which I got in a book exchange at my book club. The edition I have also has tiny writing – yet another minus, but in spite of that, the premise sounded too good to pass by: the action happens in the 1800s and there are magicians involved. Also, Vishy, a friend from the blogosphere, came up with the idea of a read-along and the odds shifted significantly in favor of reading this book. After all, it’s always easier and a lot more fun when other people come along for the adventure. If you’d like to be one of these people, grab a copy of the book and come join us.

Here are the rules:

1. The read-along starts on 11th January (this coming Saturday)
2. The book is divided into three volumes, so the read-along will take place across three weeks:
• Volume I: Mr Norrell (261 pages) – review to be posted on 18th January
• Volume II: Jonathan Strange (368 pages) – review to be posted on 25th January
• Volume III: John Uskglass (369 pages) – review to be posted on 1st of February
3. If you’d like to participate, write in the comments (here or on Vishy’s blog, or both if you like) and link back to your blog. This way I can add your review to the weekly post. You can also join at any time during the read-along.

The first chapter can be read online HERE

Enjoy!

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18 Responses to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke – a read-along

  1. Vishy says:

    Very excited for finally getting to read ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr.Norrell’, Delia! Looking forward to the start of the readalong on Saturday!

    • Delia says:

      I’m excited about it too, Vishy. Thanks for suggesting the read-along. Without it, this book would have waited a long time for me to read it.
      I hope people will join us.

      I just realized this is the second book I will be reading this year that has two magicians as main characters. The first was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. And they’re both first novels. Interesting.

      • Vishy says:

        Thanks to you too, Delia! Just posted on the readalong on my blog. Interesting to know that this is the second ‘magician’ book you will be reading this year 🙂

  2. Caroline says:

    Oh that would have been so great . . . If I could read along that is but sadly I don’t have enough time this month.
    It’s on my piles and hopefully reading your thoughts will inspre me. Have a lot of fun.

  3. Yasmine says:

    Hi Delia, I saw this read along on Vishy’s blog and would love to participate. My starting post can be viewed here:
    http://ymulholland.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/jonathan-strange-and-mr-norrell-read-along/

    I look forward to reading your thoughts on the book in the coming weeks.

  4. Brian Joseph says:

    I had heard several really good things about this book. Unfortunately I am a bit booged down with reading projects, otherwise I would love to join you.

    I look forward to reading your comments on this work.

  5. TJ says:

    I saw Yasmine’s post about the read-along and will participate. I’m not sure if I can read Volumes II and III within a week, but I’ll try. Hopefully, a read-along will give me the needed motivation to stay with it. Thanks to you and Vishy for hosting this event.

    • Delia says:

      Nice to see you joining us, TJ. I admit I have been thinking about the number of pages myself, and whether I’ll be able to finish more than 200 of them in a week remains to be seen. Maybe we can adjust this later on, if we see that it is too much.

  6. Elisa says:

    Hmmm, that is an idea. I have been meaning to read this book for a while now too. It would be better to read with friends. I am on the fence…whenever I try to do these things i fall apart…but maybe I will be a cheerleader next to you while you read it. lol

    • Delia says:

      Hi Elisa,
      It would be great to have you in our read-along group. There’s still time to decide, you can join us any week, even for the last one.
      If not, I can definitely use a cheerleader. 🙂

  7. Hi Delia
    This sounds great! I don’t think I’m going to have time, though – I’ve just taken on a lot of freelance work, and am not sure how it’s going to get done. My reading time is being squeezed out 🙁 But I’ll follow along from the sidelines! Have heard a lot about this book over the years, and will be interested to see your reaction.

    • Delia says:

      Hello Andrew,
      Everybody seems to have heard about this book. I didn’t know it existed until last year.
      Good luck with the freelance work, and come back on Saturday if you have time – that’s when we’ll post the review of Volume I.

  8. Pingback: Read Along – ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell’ by Susanna Clarke – Volume III (John Uskglass) | Yasmine Rose Reads Books

  9. Pingback: Read Along – ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell’ by Susanna Clarke – Volume II (Jonathan Strange) | Yasmine Rose Reads Books

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