What'd you think of "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell"? I heard over and over that it was a classic, and then I read it, and I was profoundly disappointed. I'm sure in part that my expectations were too high, but also it felt like Clarke spent so much effort on the setting, that she basically forgot to spend any time on the plot, which was neither gripping nor especially memorable.
Yes, the plot did meander all over the place, until the end which I felt didn't properly close off most of the plot arcs even though - on reflection - it was a perfect conclusion to Clarke's themes. But then, unlike you, I liked the setting enough that I thought it was gripping, and I wasn't disappointed in the end.
What'd you think of "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell"? I heard over and over that it was a classic, and then I read it, and I was profoundly disappointed. I'm sure in part that my expectations were too high, but also it felt like Clarke spent so much effort on the setting, that she basically forgot to spend any time on the plot, which was neither gripping nor especially memorable.
Yes, the plot did meander all over the place, until the end which I felt didn't properly close off most of the plot arcs even though - on reflection - it was a perfect conclusion to Clarke's themes. But then, unlike you, I liked the setting enough that I thought it was gripping, and I wasn't disappointed in the end.