Back to an alternative England with magic

[vivdunstan]

Finished the Val McDermid Lady Macbeth retelling, and still reading "A Darker Shade of Magic". But for a second fiction book on the go I'm having another bash at "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell". Last time I tried reading this, in 2004/5, I was already having huge problems managing print due to my progressive neurological disease. And battled with this recently published hardback. Not least with all the teeny footnotes! And bailed out. But going to have another go, this time on my Kindle with an utterly gargantuan font. Because it really is the sort of book that I should adore. Fingers crossed!

Comments

[watervole]

I may need to go back to that book myself.
The review I wrote several years ago was:An excellent book that really makes you believe in its setting. The characters come with their own personalities, and the faeries are as English mythology would have them - a pretty nasty and untrustworthy bunch who steal people away.
I particularly love the footnotes. They give that necessary dry academic flavour which adds conviction to any alternative history.

Problem is that my copy was a paperback, and I find them difficult to read now. Do I like it enough to buy a new ebook copy?

[vivdunstan]

I'm finding the mass of characters a bit overwhelming early on. I do struggle to remember too many things in a book. But expect I will settle down with it soon. Liking the world building a lot.