Reading the Chunksters discussion

Ok, I haven't finished this section yet, so what does everyone think???

I loved it! It was creepy yet totally fun to read. I had to forcefully put the book down for next weekend. :)

It definitely picked up this week and I love the other wordly aspect to it.

I really liked this section, especially the whole resurrection part. I have so many unanswered questions, though! I want to know when and how the fairy will collect his debt (I loved the part about the finger). There was also barely any Childermass in these chapters, and he really intrigues me so I want to find out more about him.

So, who thinks the redhead is Jonathan Strange? And have we maybe met him yet without knowing who he is?

Very amusing chapters, particularly the one about resurrection and the one with the ministers debating how to employ Mr Norrell.

I also thought the redhead might be Jonathan Strange.

I'm really curious about how magic works in this world. So far the actual process of doing magic has been kept off-screen, although it seems to involve reciting spells. Are there any special tools that magicians use? Wands? Potions? And Mr Norrell learned to do magic from books. Is magic something inherent to a person or can anybody learn it?

Lastly, the illustrations are really great. I think they capture the mood of the book well; the dark tones and sketchiness evoke a sense of mystery. I particularly like the sneaky-looking design for the fairy.

I like the sketches too. Reminiscent to me of Harry Potter books, which i loved.

Yeah, now that you mention it they are kind of similar to the illustrations in Harry Potter! I'm enjoying them.

I also really want to know more about the magic system. It seems so academic compared to in most fantasy worlds, especially with the big fuss made about "practical" magicians, so I'm excited to learn more about how it works here.

Did anyone else pick up on the comment that Childermass made to Mr. Norrell about how if Mr. Norrell came upon another magician he could always take care of him, that it wouldn't be the first time Mr. Norrell took books or erased memories of other magicians. It kinda gave me the creeps. I know what he did to the society in Yorkshire, but from what Childermass said, it seems to go far back and possibly more sinister than I expected.

No! I missed that... That is sinister. That's why it's great to read with others.

Juliette wrote: "Did anyone else pick up on the comment that Childermass made to Mr. Norrell about how if Mr. Norrell came upon another magician he could always take care of him, that it wouldn't be the first time ..."

I reread that part, Childermass didn't say that Norrell erased memories, but that he did take books and stopped other magicians studies implying that Norrell got rid of his competition that way.

Oh, ok. :)

There is some memory erasing going on though. Secundus has a cloudy memory of his visit to Mr. norrell's house in Week 1.

Tasha wrote: "There is some memory erasing going on though. Secundus has a cloudy memory of his visit to Mr. norrell's house in Week 1."

Yes there is, I think that's why my mind put that there.

I'm curious to find out how the meeting between Mr. Norrell and Jonathan Strange will go.

Oh yes the redhead has to be Jonathan Strange.

I also thought that part about what Mr Norrell had done to other magicians was creepy. I wonder how he will react to Jonathan Strange when they meet.

I loved the bit where the ministers decided not to resurrect Mr. Pitt because they realised his body had been decomposing for two years! He would not be very fragrant!

I'm intrigued to find out what happens to the new Lady Pole in the other half of her life...and where is her finger?

I'm very curious about the new Lady Poole too! Can't wait! :)

Finally caught up!

Does Drawlight remind anyone else of Harold Skimpole from Bleak House?

I find it odd that Strange's name comes first in the title, but then, we haven't even met him yet. Then again, this could be due entirely to the publisher, but it does make me wonder baout Mr. Norrel's presence in the book. It seems the author took a long time to establish other characters that, since leaving Yorkshire, we haven't seen again.

I really am enjoying the manner that this book is written in. Very Victorian, but it still has a modern taste to it. I havent quite figured out which bit is which though :) It flows so well together. I have a nice long weekend, I dont think I will be able to stop myself from reaidng ahead!

I know what you mean, I had to force myself to stop. :)

Chapter 10 was by far my favorite, so hilarious to think about a bunch of stuffy British officials trying to figure out what to with Mr. Norrell and who to resurrect.

I'm looking forward to meeting Jonathan Strange just so I can stop reading so fast and feel like I've finally gotten to the meat of the whole story.

Love the fairy...are there ever books or movies (besides Disney, of course) were fairies are nice?

The drawings are a bit distracting and are not enhancing the story for me and they make me confused about who the target audience is...why are there drawings?

Good point about the pictures Stephanie. It seems Harry Potterish to me...YA...but I loved the HP series so I don't really mind it.

I'm really enjoying the book now. Even though I guessed Norrell would attempt to resurrect Miss Wintertowne, learning about the mysterious redhead made it really interesting and the missing pinkie kinda shocked me lol. I wasn't expecting that!

I like the flippant nature of some of the characters, especially Drawlight, Mr Norrell's PR man ;-) and the slyness of Childermass. They both manipulate Norrell - for their own gain? I'm glad they do because it appears he needs steering. I have a feeling Jonathan Strange is going to be a stronger character than Norrell and will dominate him, or try to. And I bet you he doesn't need Childermass or Drawlight to guide him. I can sense rivalry, fallings out. Looking forward to the next installment!

PS The fairy reminds me a little of the Little People in 1Q84. Namely how he appeared in the room and the fact we don't know how the magic was performed. I hope we get to find out. I like how the author slowly builds suspense. I can't wait for Strange's first appearance in the novel.

To think I bought this book when it was published in 2004 when I had my daughter and when I was reading my way through the Harry Potter books. It was definitely the HP craze that influenced me to buy the book. It's been sitting on my shelves all this time, has moved house with us four times. I doubt I would have read it had it not been for this group. Happy days!

Unless, as someone mentioned earlier in this thread, we have unwittingly already met Jonathan Strange!

Regarding the drawings, they may be intended to give it a Dickensian feel...?

I read a lot of mythology (folkore was one of my majors in college) I have a feeling that this book is going to have more tradition fairies- which is possible wicked, often malicious, and at least devious. Very Unseelie Court. I like that though, its how fairies are supposed to be :D

Yes me too. I don't trust the fairy we have seen so far; you just know he is naughty and there will be a big price to pay for letting him take the finger! Norrell might be one of the only practical magicians in the country but he is a rookie magician, dabbling in dark magic perhaps? Hmm. I like it!

Yeah, I don't feel like the illustrations add very much to the story since there aren't that many but I do find them to be lovely drawings on their own. Maybe if there was one drawing per chapter it'd seem more fitting... But I did enjoy seeing a visual of the fairy.

The book has really picked up so far and now I'm really enjoying it!

After reading the comments, I realized I was missing all those pictures on my kobo and am thinking about flipping through the book on my laptop or the phone to see what I'm missing. Reading the footnotes has gotten more seamless as I realized there's a back button and I don't have to flip back through the pages. Duh..

I loved the resurrection and the fairy! As Becky said, the fairy seems more like the ones from older fairy tales. Not fairy godmother types, but who act according to their own wishes and desires. I'm curious as to see how he ends up taking half her life.

As the book continues, it feels more and more modern. Some of the comments seem so tongue in cheek. Poking fun at the characters

Ok so I may have been a bit bad and skipped ahead but don't worry I won't tell you guys anything!

My thoughts are that I love the feel of this book in general. I've only recently starting trying out fantasy books - I loved them as a kid but then just assumed that most of the adult ones are a bit cheesy and lack character depth. However i've enjoyed a couple that ive read recently, one the rather obvious A Game of Thrones and also The Lies of Locke Lamora.
What I love about this book though, that I think makes it stand out from the rest, is the style of writing. With my very limited fantasy book knowledge I haven't come across any other book that writes fantasy like this. Its like Dickens did fantasy with some dry humor thrown in! LOVE IT!
Also I agree with others who have said they're enjoying the mean fairy- I've always found characters that have no reason for being bad, rather just do it because they can, really interesting.

Oh and if anyone knows any other fantasy books similar to this style do tell! :)

Glad to hear that you liked The Lies of Locke Lamora. I recently added it to my tbr because it sounded interesting and I'm not a huge fantasy reader either. I'm still working through the Game of Thrones series, I'm up to A Dance With Dragons which I plan to read this summer.

I'm only about halfway through this section (about to continue listening to it as I do some chores), so I haven't read the posts above yet, but have noticed that I've found it less interesting, so far, than last week's reading. Am I alone?

I found the first few chapters in this week's reading a bit slow but it definitely gets more interesting in chapters 8-10.

@ ayaname: Yep! I see what you mean. The Wintertowne story was excellent. :)

Oh Man!! The "pinky present" gave me the creeps!!

Kristina wrote: "Oh Man!! The "pinky present" gave me the creeps!!"

Yeah, that was the first scene that made me think of how dark this book could possibly get, especially now that we know that Norrell is kind of a dilettante.

Well, this week's section has been a chunk. I definitely like it more than the first part, but it is still not clear where the story is going. On the other hand, taking into the account the size of the book, it won't be a surprise to have 350-400 pages for its setting and characters.

To tell the truth, the absence of Jonathan Strange is a mystery. And I am looking forward to meeting him in the nearest future, if only.... I totally agree with the previous posts that the style turns this reading experience into a pleasant journey. But I refuse to call this tome a neo-Victorian fantasy novel.To be historically accurate, the events take place either during the early British Regency or right before it, so it is not exactly Victorian.
Anyway, the chapter about the resurrection is truly hilarious:-) It was fun to read about the real historical events and how magic was interwoven into the fabric of this novel. So far it has been the best chapter in the book.

Becky wrote: "Finally caught up!

Does Drawlight remind anyone else of Harold Skimpole from Bleak House?

I find it odd that Strange's name comes first in the title, but then, we haven't even met him yet. Then a..."

Becky, Drawlight is definitely 'skimpolish' - a leeching socialite that is seemingly harmless and is always broke. I even think he has a speaking name - he is drawn to the light of fame as a moth.

Zulfiya wrote: "Well, this week's section has been a chunk. I definitely like it more than the first part, but it is still not clear where the story is going. On the other hand, taking into the account the size of..."

We did get what I believe was our first mention of Jonathan Strange, though, in one of the footnotes, when we learn that Segundus writes the story of his life.

Loretta wrote: "Zulfiya wrote: "Well, this week's section has been a chunk. I definitely like it more than the first part, but it is still not clear where the story is going. On the other hand, taking into the acc..."

I was trying to say he might not even feature as a character. Only in footnotes as his biographer:-) Just an idea:-)

Oh yeah, that would be interesting.

I just got really excited reading his name for the first time. I bet he's going to be a total bad-ass magician in comparison to Norrell. :)

Mercedes wrote: "Ok so I may have been a bit bad and skipped ahead but don't worry I won't tell you guys anything!

My thoughts are that I love the feel of this book in general. I've only recently starting trying ..."

Same here! Loved fantasy novels as a kid but didn't read many as an adult. This group got me back into them with the mists of Avalon and game of thrones =)

Just caught up with this! The Wintertowne resurrection was certainly interesting, and I definitely now think this book is going to be darker than I was initially expecting.

I don't trust that fairy that Mr Norrell conjured, and I don't think that bargain will be as simple as the fairy claiming her for the second half of her life. I wonder how her 'half life' will play out in the story?

I'm also fascinated by how the magic actually occurs. Another reason to look forward to Jonathan Strange's coming, I'm hoping we'll see more of it when he arrives! Although I'm not sure it'll be for a while, as I know in my copy the first volume is entitled 'Mr Norrell' and the second 'Jonathan Strange' so that implies he won't be in it until volume two?

@ Zee: I suspect that the "helf-life" will end up being something Persephone-esque, wherein he comes for her half of every year.

Loretta wrote: "@ Zee: I suspect that the "helf-life" will end up being something Persephone-esque, wherein he comes for her half of every year."

OOHH good call!!

Ok.... so I read week 3. I will have to say. Now it is starting to get good!!!!

Enjoying this so far.

Funny, I am reading a paper book copy and somehow didn't even notice the pictures. People were talking about pictures in this thread and I was like 'what? there are pictures?' and had to go flip through the book. I guess I just tuned them out.

I'm definitely wondering about how her "half life" will play out as well. I somehow doubt that fairy will be satisfied coming back for her after 40 years have passed -- he seemed enthralled with her beauty, which she will no longer have if he has to wait that long. Though I bet that's what Norrell is expecting and he (and everyone else) will be in for quite a surprise when the fairy comes back.

What I found most interesting is that it seemed to change her character. Although, I suppose, she was sick all the time we (and her beau?) knew her, so she couldn't have been an outdoorsey type if she wanted to -- but even she seemed surprised by her sudden urges to wander outside. I wonder if that's something to do with her fairy "husband", or an effect of resurection in general, or something else entirely. Hm.

Unfortunately, I'm just not getting into this book at the moment so I'm going to put it aside for now. I love this group, though, so I may either pick it up again and (hope to) catch up later or I'll just see you guys again at the next one.

Hm, I think the Persephone motif is a good idea. I was wondering if he would take her like every night. She seems to try and wander off and disappear. But I think the other idea is better. VERY curious to see what happens!

I think Norrell wanting to bring magic back to England is going to open a huge can of worms and cause chaos. Starting with the fairy changing his verbal contract whenever he feels like it; that's my prediction. I have no doubt that Norrell can do magic, but I don't trust him with it - half the fun!

PS it doesn't feel like a classic to me at all - it feels very modern; a parody. And certainly not a Victorian/Dickensian one when it's set during the Napoleonic Wars ;-)

@ Glynis: Regarding your point on the feel of the novel: the beginning of the novel is set during the Napoleonic Wars, but based on a few clues in the first couple chapters, I think the tale takes place over several decades. Moreover, Dickens himself wrote historical fiction in A Tale of Two Cities, set during the Reign of Terror.

Of course modern sensibilities are peppered throughout, but I thought the author captured the style of the prose of the time remarkably well, which is incredibly impressive.

Tasha wrote: "Glad to hear that you liked The Lies of Locke Lamora. I recently added it to my tbr because it sounded interesting and I'm not a huge fantasy reader either. I'm still working through the Game of Th..."

Im jealous - i've only read the first one - but i've just bought the next 3 so i'll be starting them when i finish this :)Then iv got the 2nd lies of locke lamora book to read :)

Catherine wrote: "Mercedes wrote: "Ok so I may have been a bit bad and skipped ahead but don't worry I won't tell you guys anything!

My thoughts are that I love the feel of this book in general. I've only recently..."

Yeah I keep hearing about the mists of avalon - i'll have to add to to me tbr list (which is getting rather large!) :)

@Loretta - I didn't realise that; I was going on what we have read so far. I appreciate what you say about Dickens writing historical fiction and am aware of that :) I know others have mentioned this book reads as an authentic classic English novel and I suppose I was trying to say, having read many classic English novels, it doesn't to me lol.