(no subject)

[shapinglight]

A couple of nice things from this week.

1) I finished the first draft of my story for rekindlespangel (and just as well, because I'm now back in disliking Angel mode).

2) I started reading The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke. Don't know why it didn't occur to me until recently to check if she'd written anything else apart from Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (a book I love dearly), but lo and behold there was this book of short stories. Loved the first one (the title story). Not so sure about the second, a retelling of Tom Tit Tot/Rumpelstiltskin. Her publisher's website says that she's currently working on a new novel set after JS&MN timewise and featuring characters from a lower social class. I hope it won't take her ten years to write this one.

Comments

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

I love Susanna Clarke and the short stories are fabulous. I especially loved the crossover between her verse and the Stardust verse. And also the last on with the charcoal burner, it made me laugh tears. And they tie so well into all the history she mentions in the JS books.

I also hope she'll be faster, allthough reading her books always feels like she uses the time really well. There is just every word right.

[ningloreth.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love The Ladies of Grace Adieu! (One of my own LOTR stories, Season of Mists is inspired by one of the stories, though I doubt anyone can tell but me)!

[shapinglight]

And they tie so well into all the history she mentions in the JS books.

Yes, she obviously has all that alternative history very well organised. I loved the first story, especially the way the ladies told Jonathan Strange where to get off. :)

There is just every word right.

This is true. And now I want to re-read JS&MN. Pity my copy is stuck behind a huge pile of boxes. :(

[shapinglight]

:)

I'm really looking forward to reading the others. The first one was terrific, and it was just such a pleasure revisiting the world of the novel.

[sibilant.livejournal.com]

I've owned Jonathan Strange for ages, but haven't read it yet, because my husband bought me a Kindle shortly after, and, with my rheumatoid arthritis, I find it so much easier to read books on. I'm too stingy to buy it for the Kindle as well!

Having read some snotty reviews of it, I was also a bit put off, but I might have a go now you've reminded me.

BTW, is it alright if I friend you?

[shapinglight]

Goodness me, yes of course. I'll friend you back. Also, do give the book a try. It's beautifully written, and though it gets off to a slow start it screate such a wonderfully realised AU 18th century England with its own coherent history right from the start, and when the cast of characters begins to broaden it becomes IMO almost un-putdownable.

The style is a pastiche of early 19th century fiction; btw, Jane Austen etc, third person omniscient (which I find extremely hard to write).

Which snotty reviews were these, if you don't mind my asking?

[sibilant.livejournal.com]

On Amazon mainly, there are 47 1 star reviews and although they are hugely outnumbered by the 5 star reviews, I tend to be a bit of a pessimist! I also heard some criticism on Radio 4, but they're a bit snobby about genre literature, so I probably should have ignored them.

Maybe I will go for the Kindle edition and pass the paperback on to someone who can handle the weight. I do love a Jane Austen-y book, so I'll get it as a Christmas present to myself.

Thanks for friending me.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

It hadn't occurred to me that Susanna Clarke has written anything else either *face/palm*. I shall seek it out forthwith!

[shapinglight]

Maybe I will go for the Kindle edition and pass the paperback on to someone who can handle the weight. I do love a Jane Austen-y book, so I'll get it as a Christmas present to myself.

I'm very optimistic you'll enjoy it. :)

[shapinglight]

I've read half the stories now. Enjoying them enormously and I'm sure you will too.