Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2005 10:29:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Drew Bittner <drewbitt at yahoo.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

--- Michael Nelson <nelson_mr at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
>
> Ugh, I finally finished reading this boat anchor
> disguised as a book -- which I started reading last
> December -- because it's on this year's Hugo Awards
> ballot.
>
> One of the most boring books I have ever dragged
> my eyes through... and I've read The Silmarillion.
> ;-)
>
> I look at all the great reviews for this novel
> and wonder if Michael slipped me some powdered
> sugar instead of the real goods.  Did any of
> these people even finish reading the book or is
> this the Emperor's New Clothing?  Do people say,
> "Well if Neil Gaiman loved it, I must be too
> stupid to really appreciate it," and so they
> gush about how great it is?
>
> Definately a "love it or hate it" book.  Can I
> get my money back, Michael?
>
> Michael Nelson

Having read it not too long ago, I can agree readily
that it is not to everyone's taste. Just because Neil
Gaiman likes it, after all, is no guarantee that it
will necessarily appeal to anyone else.

For myself, I thought there were places where it
dragged but overall, I thought the book was entirely
enjoyable, fun and interesting. (Took a long time to
get through but not sure if that was because I wanted
to take my time with it or because it was just slow
going.)

Drew

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