What other fantasy books do YOU read?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Oddwen

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - I really, really liked this book. It's quite a hefty book, something to re-read after several years maybe, but it's got a great story, and I loved the imagery.

I am 2/3 of the way through JS & MN (which at 800 pages, gives War and Peace a run for the money for sheer volume). I am not at all sure that I like it. How odd to have read this far into a novel, and to be altogether unsure if one is enjoying the story. To paraphrase Rossini in regards to Wagner, the book has beautiful moments but awful quarter hours. In fact, I enjoyed the book far more early in the story, and am beginning to like it less and less the further I trudge on (and I do feel I am slogging through a muddy field). The citations of fictional books was interesting at first, but get exceedingly tedious after several million chapters. It's reminiscent of the interminable notes and citations that caused me to loathe Moby Dick.

The characters, particularly the magicians, are a bit thick and slow to catch on regarding the plot that swirls around them, and there aren't many characters that are likable at all (many are just plain despicable or mere ciphers).

But I'll finish it before passing final judgment. Perhaps everything will get better by the conclusion (maybe there is an epiphany or a eucatrastrophe of significant proportions to make up for the unnecessary length).