Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. (My Goodreads Review)

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A strange and bizarre world of Britain during the Napoleonic period. Mr Norrell seems like a rather bland and boring man. Yet he is a magician. A good one too. He is very reclusive and hides away from the world. The characters in this story are wonderful. Especially when, after a time, Johnathan Strange comes into the tale. The reclusive Mr Norrell has managed to stop some of the less reputable magicians, from the North of England, from practising. He reluctantly moves to London and equally reluctantly starts to socialise with affluent people. His magic soon becomes a talking point as he starts to indulge some peoples' and government's needs. There is also a parallel world where fairies communicate during spells. The story is rather deep in parts but very entertaining. If you like Dickens type characters or Titus Groan etc, I think you will be a big fan of this story. A splendidly written work.

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A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (My Goodreads)

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had heard the words for the beginning of this book. ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,’ etc. I had also heard the famous last words too. ‘It is a far better thing I do now…” etc. I did not know anything else about the story except it was written by Charles Dickens and the two cities were London and Paris. Also that it was against the backdrop of the French Revolution.

I downloaded this on Kindle because it was a freebie and I had often wondered about the story. I accept without question that Charles Dickens is the master of characterisation. The books of his that I have read have always been stories of wonderful and colourful characters. This story was no exception. It was dynamic and gripping. I knew the character that would say the famous last lines straight away. As soon as the person began to paint his profile for the reader I knew. Everything about this story was wonderful. People of all social persuasions come together. The rogues were splendid too. One could understand their dissatisfaction and how their ways had been tempered.

Everything built to a dynamic climax as the Reign of Terror is engulfing France. The guillotine is working overtime as the French Revolution is enforcing the genocide of the entire nation’s aristocracy. I can’t recommend the book highly enough. I have not read something that gave me an adrenalin rush like this for a long time. Brilliant!

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The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens (My Goodreads)

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story started off in the first person singular. Master Humphery tells the story. Then after a few chapters, it becomes a third person singular story. I think it was originally published in episodes via a magazine. The story follows Nell Trent who lives with her Grandfather. It is a very moving story and also rather sad. As with all Charles Dickens stories. The characters and the dialogue are wonderful. It was these gorgeous things that compelled me. It is always the same with Charles Dickens. Well worth reading.

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