Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

[shapinglight]

So, I'm enjoying the hell out of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. What do you all think?

Comments

[emac66.livejournal.com]

It's a series now????!! Really? Where? I need to find that. I read the book AGES ago and loved it. I had no idea they were putting it to film.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

Really love it! They did such a good job, especially with Norell! He's wonderfully neurotic!

[shapinglight]

Yes, it's a seven part series on the BBC. Two episodes have aired so far.

[brutti-ma-buoni.livejournal.com]

Enjoyed the first, haven't caught up with the second. But I probably will. It's a very brave stab at something I'd have considered unfilmable.

[shapinglight]

He's great, isn't he? Have to say, I loved the scene where Strange created the horses out of sand.

Also, I'm not much of a Mark Warren fan, but he's really good as the Gentleman.

[shapinglight]

I loved the second episode. I hope you do too. I keep thinking how it could have been such a disaster, but so far it's quite the opposite.

[emac66.livejournal.com]

thank you! Will look for it when I get home. hopefully something will be online.

[paratti.livejournal.com]

I'm loving it. It's so well cast too.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I also loved it when Norrell put the defences up and just nothing visibile happened. He's so funny in his unflashyness and with the books.

Also love Arabella.

And the Gentleman is very creepy. Works very well!

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

I've never read the book, but I am enjoying it.

[shapinglight]

Best of luck. :)

[shapinglight]

And the Gentleman is very creepy. Works very well!

Yes, everything to do with Lost Hope was very fey and creepy, I thought. Poor Lady Pole, and poor Stephen.

[shapinglight]

It really is. I saw one review which said that Eddie Marsan looked ridiculous in a wig, but I think that's partly the point. Norrell is sort of ridiculous.

[shapinglight]

Great!

I do love the novel, but it gets off to a bit of a slow start (the series has brought in some elements much earlier than they appear in the book, which in TV terms is a good thing), also, some people mind find the style (pastiche of an early C19th style) a bit annoying, I suppose.

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

I thought it had some nice original touches, unlike Harry Potter which was so derivative.

[shapinglight]

It's very original. I've never read anything else like it, I don't think.

[gillo]

I love it. It's long enough since I read the book that I can't remember every detail, but it looks beautiful and the casting is well-nigh perfect. Dave is taking the book to re-read on holiday!

Marc Warren's hair isn't exactly 'thistledown', but it looks brilliantly weird. And Marsan is perfect as the neurotic little man.

[paratti.livejournal.com]

And all the more dangerous for it.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

My husband gave up after the first episode, but I'm loving it. It's exactly the sort of thing I like! :)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm really enjoying it. I've not read the book (it is on the shelf opposite me as I sit here and has been on my list of intentions for a couple of years) so I don't know the story, but the second episode really brought it alive.
At the end of the first I was thinking "interesting", but after the second there are asterisks around the word, which is in bold italics.

[shapinglight]

You must read the book, Maz. It's great. I only wish my copy wasn't in storage. I want to read it again.

[shapinglight]

:)

Have you read the book, Cal? I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Gets off to a bit of a slow start, but after that I found it unputdownable.

[shapinglight]

It's a long time since I read the book too. In fact, my copy is in storage, which is a shame, because I'd like to read it again.

I don't remember the story that well, except for remembering that it's a lot longer in the book until we meet Jonathan Strange.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

I've recorded it, but I like the book and haven't plucked up the courage to watch it yet ....

[thedothatgirl.livejournal.com]

It's my favourite show on TV at the moment, I haven't read the book so that's perhaps a good thing.

I really like the cast and loved Paul Kaye's street magician. I will pick it up though once the show is finished. Visually stunning and the vidder in me is excited for possibilities.

And I need an icon.

[sueworld2003.livejournal.com]

It's been very good hasn't it. I'm still not sure If it's hitting it's mark with the general public though. Many out there still seem to think It's too slow would you believe. The arses.

[shapinglight]

Don't worry. It's great so far. Go for it!

[shapinglight]

I haven't read the book so that's perhaps a good thing.

It's a really good book. You should read it. It is possibly a good thing it's been a while since I read it myself so I'm a bit hazy about stuff, but as someone who loves the book, I'm enjoying the TV version enormously so far.

And I need an icon.

You're welcome to snag mine if you want. I made them myself. They're not that great, though. I don't have Photoshop or anything. I'm sure you could find better.

[shapinglight]

Their loss, as far as I'm concerned. And it doesn't really matter if the ratings aren't what the BBC would like. It's not like there's going to be a season 2. ;)

[spikereader.livejournal.com]

I am loving it - Sunday's ep went by in the blink of an eye. I finished the book on Saturday, and it's my book of the year so far.

[shapinglight]

:)

It's a wonderful book, isn't it? She's supposed to be writing another, but the first one took 20 years or something, so I'm not expecting it soon. There is a little book of short stories set in the same world, The Ladies of Grace Adieu, if you haven't read that.

Lovely stuff.

And the show is great. I watched the first episode twice, and I think I might watch the second episode again this evening.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Downloaded the first two on the BBC i Player. Fantastico! Yes loving it and cannot wait til the next epsilon,

[thedothatgirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Always looking for something to read on holiday so I will pick it up for August.

Thanks for the icon offer. It's possible that I will make some icons myself. I'll post on LJ so anyone can snag.

[shapinglight]

That would be great. I'm sure yours will be much better than mine.

I've only taken to making my own icons because so few people do it nowadays (since obviously they're not needed on Tumblr). I don't have Photoshop, just a simple program called Photofiltre, which is probably about all I can cope with anyway. ;)

[shapinglight]

:)

Planning to watch ep 2 again today.

[ex_peasant441]

Absolutely loving it. The third episode gave me shivers up my spine and reduced me to tears at one point (won't spoiler you if you haven't seen it yet). It's one of those shows I am going to want to watch again and again.


Then I read a review and have concluded that muggles shouldn't be allowed to watch OUR sort of TV. They just don't get it.

[shapinglight]

Well, if it helps, the Guardian reviewers love it.

I agree the third episode was wonderful. S is back tomorrow. I'm going to try and get him to watch all three that have aired so far with me.