Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke

This odd and rather weighty novel is a perverse and in someways satirical story of the relationship between two competing, for want of a better word, wizards.  I say "for want of a better word" because one of the men would consider himself a scientist.  It is a strange blend of a book; a fantasy written in the style of a Dickens novel, an alternative history of the Napoleonic wars, and philosophical discussion of the differences between the rational and irrational, science and reason versus passion and the insane and and experiment in old english to boot!
It's good. Very good. However, it is a difficult read.
I will wait a while and read it again. As with many things in life I suspect this book is an acquired taste and that appreciation grows with re-savouring.
3 star read (for now)

Thank you! :D

I have been recommended SO many books! :D (One of which I have actually read as part of my Psych degree!)
I will hunt down and read each and every one.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The Man Who Was Thursday - G.K. Chesterton

Firstly I should tell you that this book is over 100 years old, having first been published in 1908.  Reading it, you would never guess. In fact, I didn't and only discovered after having finished it that it was that old. The story takes place in London (and France) in a bygone era, that much is obvious, but the writing style is so much more, well, modern! I actually really enjoyed the book.  More so in retrospect than at the time of reading (if that makes sense).  It's a thriller, a spy story, an adventure story and a philisophical statement all rolled into one. It was clever, and whimisical, and deep, and enthralling, and exciting, and frankly, bizarre! I won't run out of positive descriptions, so I'll stop there, but you get the point.

Interesting fact; along with being outspoken on the subjects of politics, economics and having a lot to say about many things (he was very  opposed to the Boer War for example) Chesterton was a Christian apologist too!

Four stars in my view. :)