Reading the Chunksters discussion

Ok, here we go! So what did everyone think of the beginning and the introduction to some of the characters? What about the footnotes?

I am loving it so far! I am more interested in Childermass and Mr. Segundus than Mr. Norrell himself. Childermass seems to be the driving force behind Mr. Norrell and I hope we will find out his history.

I didn't mind the footnotes but if they went on being as numerous as they are in the first couple of chapters I think they would soon start to annoy me. But flicking through, it looks like there are fewer later.

So far, so good!

The first couple chapters were a little slow, but it really started to pick up when they went to the Cathedral and Mr. Norrell made the statues speak about their history and all that they have seen. I found the part where the one statue was saying that the same man had come and gone and destroyed portions of the church repeatedly rather poignant--he couldn't conceive that men didn't live that long, and that different men would take such similar actions.

I also agree that Mr. Segundus is really interesting--I found his refusal to sign that contract really clever. I imagine he will play a pretty substantial role going forward.

And I agree that Childremass is clearly pulling the strings.

And does everyone agree that Clarke is doing an amazing job emulating the style of Dickens? I almost feel like I'm reading a classic!!

Loretta wrote: "And does everyone agree that Clarke is doing an amazing job emulating the style of Dickens? I almost feel like I'm reading a classic!!"

I totally agree!! It has the style of Dickens. I would not have thought that if I had not read Great Expectations a month ago.

I also found the first two chapters a little slow. Now it is starting to pick up. The footnotes do not bother me, thank goodness.

I love the writing style so far. This book actually reminds me a bit of the Discworld series, and it's not just the footnotes!

I'm new to the group and this is my first time doing a group read with a set schedule, so I'll have to see how I adjust. I always had trouble with assigned books in school -- I would always read ahead, often finishing the book in the first week or two, and then try not to spoil it for the rest of the class! I'm going to try to savor this one. I thought the first section ended a bit abruptly and had to restrain myself from going on to Chapter 5.

It reminds me of discworld too; it's sorely lacking the librarian though.

Riona wrote: "I love the writing style so far. This book actually reminds me a bit of the Discworld series, and it's not just the footnotes!

I'm new to the group and this is my first time doing a group read wit..."

Feel free to read ahead. Take notes and then jump in on the appropriate threads if that feels better for you. If you do that, please only post on the chapters in each thread title...that way we don't get any crazy spoilers.

I'm loving the book so far, really loved the talking statues and the description of what the members of the York Magic society did after the Cathedral scene, their poor wives!

I picked this book up as a paperback about 5 years ago to read at the airport. When I used to buy paperbacks I always looked for a chunkster...something that was going to last me a while and when I picked this one up I didn't even bother to find out what it was about lol!I only managed a couple of chapters before I was side tracked by life. So the other day I thought I would read a couple of reviews on the book to get an idea of the storyline....wow apparently I'm either going to love it or just plain hate it! Well, I am enjoying it now on my Nook footnotes and all!

Yay Wendy! What do you think so far? This is such a different book for me, but I am really enjoying it! It's so fun to read something that is out of the normal.

Speaking of "out of the normal" - I find it interesting that our contemporary chunksters have recently been a series of fantasy novels. This, Game of Thrones, the Mists of Avalon... it's become quite a trend.

Kristi wrote: "Yay Wendy! What do you think so far? This is such a different book for me, but I am really enjoying it! It's so fun to read something that is out of the normal."

I'm really liking it so far! Good thing that I'm reading another chunkster (I'm currently re-reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon on my own) at the same time, that way when I finish reading the chapters for the week I don't read ahead as I have something else to read! hehe

So what do you normally read? I'm pretty easy I will read just about any genre as long as its good! Though lately it seems like everything I've been reading has been fantasy lol

Loretta wrote: "Speaking of "out of the normal" - I find it interesting that our contemporary chunksters have recently been a series of fantasy novels. This, Game of Thrones, the Mists of Avalon... it's become qui..."
That is interesting. Though I do like fantasy fiction, so this is not a problem for me...well unless you consider the need to read both contemporary and classic chunksters a problem, but that's a good problem.

I am really enjoying this so far. Loretta - I totally agree that the author did a great job with the thoughts of the statues. I wish they had talked more! And I liked Mr. Honeyfoot more because he followed the statue's advice and dug up the body.

I do fell a bit bad for all those "magicians" who are now bored all day, but I suppose it serves them right.

Can't wait to learn more about Mr Norrell and Mr. Segundus. Obviously Mr. N did some kind of magic when he gave the tour of his library -- wonder when Segundus will figure that out.

The footnotes are a bit odd, but I'm enjoying them. It feels like a real history book!

I'm glad to be in on this read. I'm enjoying it so far. I've not read Dickens yet so I can't comment on up the writing being similar but I can say, if it's similar, then I may pick up a dickens in the future. It's readable and I'm enjoying the mystical side.

Looking forward to learning more about Childermass, he seems a bit evil...

I like the Secundus and Norrell characters too.

OK, so let's see...

Having read several books like (The Prestige, Stardust and The Night Circus, the latter of which I've yet to finish) this had me expecting so much to happen while I was reading...which made me read fast in expectation. I am also having trouble trusting any of the characters so far...what are their motives? It seems Secundus is on the up and up, but what about Childermass? Where is Strange???

As for the footnotes...they are adding such a wonderful layer to the story. I really liked the additional reading concerning an incredibly old murder and vindication.

Like some of you I found this book a bit of a slow starter but once i had got the bit about York cathedral I was pulled into the story. I was intrigued that Mr Segundus seemed to remember part of his visit tot he library that he thought he had read a book starting with B. Does anyone else thing that Mr Norrell chose him for a specific task. The foot notes are taking some getting used to and i was suprised by the one about the description of the York minster and the description of Ripon minster which I live near which is now a cathedral. Both minsters are very beautiful and cold even on a summer's day and full of history.
Can't imagine where the book is going to lead to as I haven't read anything about the book just plunged straight in.

That's awesome that you have that real connection to the story Izzy! Very cool.

Sorry for the belated comment - I traveled across the Atlantic ocean, and the long flights, exhaustion, and stress did not help to improve my perception of the book. I do hope this week I will get a better reading experience:-)

So far the first chapters were really about nothing, though it was funny to observe how the author was trying to create a surrogate Pickwick Paper society of goodhearted and kind nerds
Concerning the style, I do tend to believe that it is predominately Victorian, but I feel the touch of Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. It is somewhat poignant and sharp. Dickens style is much more verbose and rambling while Gaskell's is sharp, poignant, humorous, and kind.
So far I am enjoying the mores and taste of the Victorian time more than the fantasy element in the novel, and the footnotes, as it has been mentioned earlier in this discussion thread, definitely give the book the Discworld flavor. And their spurious nature is hilarious.

Sneaking in late here, too... :)

This first section was slow for me, too. I could see what the author was going for, but I kept thinking let's get on with it... I generally like books about magicians (loved The Prestige, really liked Carter Beats the Devil), so I'm going to try hard to stick with this.

I agree that the scene in the cathedral was great though. The characters are intriguing, as well. Childermass is definitely up to something.

The writing in this is incredible. I've never highlighted sections on my kindle before but I'm feeling the urge to highlight descriptions or sections of dialogue that I particularly like on nearly every page.

Interesting so far! I think these chapters have mainly been setting up the story so I agree that it's been a bit of a slow start, but Norrell is going to be an interesting character to follow and learn more about, and the peripheral characters are being set up well too. I'm loving the descriptions - love how you felt like you were there in York Minster and at the London party!

It'll be interesting to see how magic works in this book. So far it seems to work completely differently to anything else I've read that has magic in.

I'm intrigued so far! The beginning was slow but it has definitely picked up in the cathedral scenes. I agree with everyone that Childermass seems to be the one pulling the strings.

This is my first time reading a book with footnotes on my kobo and it doesn't seem that bad now that I've gotten used to jumping around.

Lastly, it does read like a classic!! I had to check up when it was written and was surprised that it was published in 2004!

Can't wait to see what happens next. Hopefully I'll catch up to the group soon.

I found the opening chapters slow going. Chapter 4 grabbed my interest. Quite like this Childermass character.

I'm also finding it slow and have fallen behind. I'm giving it some more time.

I gave up on it entirely after the fifth chapter. I think I'd like a movie version, but the book just didn't do it for me. I felt like I was looking at things through a pin-sized hole.

It gets better guys. Give it another week. At least I found it to get more interesting!

Nicole wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "OK, so let's see...

Having read several books like (The Prestige, Stardust and The Night Circus, the latter of which I've yet to finish) this had me expecting so much to happen w..."

that's exactly how i feel and i'm on chapter 8 now...hmmm...

I'm actually reading the book for the second time now and really enjoy it! But I have often noticed how people seem to be divided by this novel.

Just got this novel at a used bookstore yesterday so I am way behind. I have however read the first four chapters in a relatively short time today. Totally loving it so far. Lots of subtle humor which is making me smile.

It's very British. I love it, too.

I feel like I have no idea whatsoever of the direction this book is going, but I'm quite enjoying the ride and am very excited to see where we're headed! The first two chapters were indeed slow but it's definitely picked up now.

I did feel a bit like Mr. Norrell had a bit of a personality change from the opening scenes where he's looking down on everyone so much, to when he's in London, feeling completely unsure of himself. How much is Childermass really in control? Maybe even more than it appears? Curious to find out.

I, too, was moved by the idea of the stones thinking it was the same man wreaking destruction over and over again. How often do we not learn from the mistakes of the past, whether our own or from history!