My circle is now complete (well, about to be). Do I have to let Darth strike me down now?

[amanuensis1]

I need to, like, take a cross-country-and-back trip this weekend. Why? Because I've got the unabridged book-on-CD of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in my car, and the f**ker is 26 discs long, and my daily drives are short, and the book-on-CD belongs to my public library which won't let you renew CD's and I don't have the time otherwise to sit down in my house and just listen to books-on-CD. So, the car it is. I can put myself back on the waiting list after I turn the thing back in--and, as it was sitting on the shelf when I got it, means there might not even be a waiting time of more than a day--but even a day's delay is awful to contemplate, with this one.

It is SO GOOD. The book's got this wonderful dry narrative voice--and the reader for this audio book matches it perfectly--and it's full of irony and subtle shivery suspense and just yesterday there was a bit describing the justice done to a detestable character that made me shriek with joy and I had to shut the thing off momentarily so that I could screech and pound the steering wheel in "Yes, yes, YES!"-ing hilarity.

And it'll be due soon and I'm only six discs in. Bugger.

(And don't tell me just to go get the book and read the rest of it, which, granted, would be much faster. That's completely missing the point of how an audio book is experienced. I've stalled on the Master and Commander books because my library doesn't have them on CD after The Far Side of the World, and I tried reading the next one and it just wasn't as much fun as hearing the narrator read them.)

The funny thing is, I was not that keen on reading this book for the longest time because of a sort of...visual typo. I thought the book was called Jonathan Strange and Mrs. Norrell, see, and for some reason this put me off. I knew it was supposed to be a historical magicians' tale, and this title must have given me...I don't know, images of the developing romance that would have taken up great chunks of the story, no doubt.

And then I learned that the title was Jonathan Strange and MR. Norrell. And I went, "Oh! It's about two men, and they're colleagues, probably, and, well, that's all right then! I wonder if it's slashy?"

Plus, I was prepared to forgive it after hearing it called "Harry Potter for adults" so many times and being annoyed with this and not able to understand why, and then having Stephen King say that he did like the book and recommended it highly, but that it was "not Harry Potter for adults. HARRY POTTER is Harry Potter for adults." He did not add "you morons," but, y'know, I'm sure it was implied. So, JS & MN and I were suddenly squared up and I could let myself read it. Thanks, Steve-a-rino.

(And, so far, the slash has come from unexpected corners. Ooh, if I could draw, I would make an illustration of the bit with The Man With Thistledown Hair and Stephen Black looking together into the mirror at their contrasting handsomenesses. Mmm!)

But, no, I shall not be taking that cross-country drive this weekend. I'll be seeing Star Wars instead. Because, y'know. Star Wars.

You know, when I was a wee thing, I made this deal that if the Powers That Be would let me live to see all of the Star Wars movies, I would, afterwards, die without a protest. Wonder if I should worry, after this weekend. Well, granted, that's when we thought there would be nine of them. Think the Powers That Be would take that as an excuse?

Comments

[joesther.livejournal.com]

Do you have an iPod? Because that's what I'm in the process of doing with all my HP canon CD books (although I own them, it's a lot neater than carrying around the CD packages) and although it takes up a lot of space, it's totally worth it. I have some international flights coming up this summer and my iPod battery lasts 15 hours, so... hey, it's one way to go.

Just a suggestion. :)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

The only reason that I don't have an iPod yet--well, the major reason--is that I don't have a lot of places where one is useful, yet. I work, I drive, I'm home. Car has CD player, home has CD player and home also has computer, and work has--well, work has work to do, not compatible with iPodding. And I take my computer on plane trips, too. But I'm thinking that the time has probably come--sometimes on a plane I don't want to break out my laptop right then, but I would like to have music. So, yeah, soon. Thanks for prodding me closer to that purchase! ^_^

For me, there's another way.

[ex-leianora730.livejournal.com]

Rip them onto blank CD's and then turn them back in. Have an MP3 CD player? That'll work just as well, and you can keep them forever and ever. It's rotten, it's illegal, but oh, it's so much fun!! I have tons of audio books that are done like that.

Re: For me, there's another way.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

It's a way, yes! I guess the reason I haven't is not so much the illegal part as it is the "what a BOTHER" part, hee. "Oh, lord, twenty-six discs? Insert, copy, burn, insert, copy, burn...And then I have to buy twenty-six discs and by that time I might as well plump the $40 for the legal copy..." I'd get into a "my time is too valuable!" snit. ^_^

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

Tell you what- how about I swing by and get you? Because I have this new car I haven't even had the chance to drive on the damned FREEWAY yet, let alone fully exploit its in-dash 6-cd changer, so a big ol' road trip would be just the thing for both of us. We can always stop halfway and catch RotS. C'mon, grab some Funyuns and let's go!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

She hath led me astray from the path with FUNYUNS! Damn you, temptress. Let's go, whee!!

[fictualities.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, you should finish the book by any means necessary, because it is brilliant and the slash does creep in in all kinds of unexpected ways. And it's Harry Potter for grownups in the same sense that The Stand is The Chronicles of Narnia for grownups -- that is, there are a few similar themes but otherwise they are both excellent in their own way and have nothing whatsoever to do with each other.

You know, when I was a wee thing, I made this deal that if the Powers That Be would let me live to see all of the Star Wars movies, I would, afterwards, die without a protest.

I made a similar deal with the Almighty about a really wonderful movie of The Lord of the Rings being made in my lifetime. For the past year or so I've been waiting for a piano to fall on my head. :D

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

there are a few similar themes but otherwise they are both excellent in their own way and have nothing whatsoever to do with each other.

Hee, I love imagining the jokes we could make, extending that logic. "Pulp Fiction is Spongebob Squarepants for grownups!"

For the past year or so I've been waiting for a piano to fall on my head. :D

Bwah ha ha! Yeah, and, actually, after Fellowship premiered and I saw it, I realized that the Star Wars bargain no longer meant anything to me--that was the trilogy I would give my life to be allowed to see to its completion. Not this Phantom Menace'y crap.

And the book will be finished, whether I buy the thing or if there's an interruption while I wait for the library to get it back to me.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

What I would like to see is Jonathan Strange and Mrs. Norris.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

All right, missy, the Pun Police will be by to take you away within the hour. For shame!

[istima.livejournal.com]

I *so* want to get that audiobook, too. I bought the book, but couldn't read the book, because it was too dry. I was going to struggle, though, and then I found out that audiobook is read by Simon Prebble! I love that narrator. He read Diana Gabaldon's 'Lord John and the Succubus' and I admired his remarkably versatile voice-acting. So I haven't read the book yet, but your review gives me high anticipation! Thank you.

I was so excited to see a book called Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell! I steathly caressed the book cover in a very public bookstore and thought 'It's slash! OMG, it's the slashiest title ever!' and then (cough) I bought the book. Of course, Neil Gaiman recommendation helped. :P

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

THERE IS A NEW LORD JOHN BOOK?????? OMG I love you!!!

*runs to Amazon.com*

(and I am gleeful over the image of you caressing a book in the store because of the slashy. Yum!)

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

The funny thing is, I was not that keen on reading this book for the longest time because of a sort of...visual typo. I thought the book was called Jonathan Strange and Mrs. Norrell,

Heh! I had never heard of this book before reading your post. When I got to this "funny thing is" line I stopped and blinked. "What? It's not called that? Then what was the title? I just read it..." *scrolls up, rereads*

I did the same exact thing as you, I had misread it as Mrs. I guess a "Mrs." is expected in the title after a man's name? Odd.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's FABULOUS! I'm so glad that happened to someone else! *grabs you, dances*

Yeah, it had that "John Steed and Mrs. Peel" feel to it, see.

[cluegirl.livejournal.com]

Er... why don't you rip the CD to MP3 via your computer and listen to it on your own time?
You can reburn it for your own use, and if you don't give it away, you'll really only be taking it on long term loan from the library.

I've a friend who did this with the Potter books, and it worked out fine.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Well, that's 26 discs I have to insert and burn, and 26 discs I have to rip--because I do the audiobooks in the car, see. I can't listen to it on the computer because when I have the computer in front of me I will USE the computer to read and write. And when I'm home I can't sit still and listen to an audiobook. Just won't work. The point of the audiobook is that it's the one form of multitasking you can do while you drive. That I can do, anyway. So, the copying/burning of 26 discs is a deal-killing kind of task for me. I'd rather buy the thing, seriously.

[balfrog.livejournal.com]

O crap! this is such a reminder that I have to GO READ THAT - if only becuase I loved the first 100 pages (why yes! I do like early 19C novels) and second, it belongs to a friend and I've hoarded the thing for 7months now. aaaaah!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, I always worry about hoarding another friend's books and DVDs! I have this "borrowed" pile that helps me remember.

[snegurochka_lee]

Oh! Sorry to barge in uninvited, but I just finished that book and I must squee madly to anyone talking about it. It's marvellous, in every conceivable way, from the black, black humour which I love to pieces, to the magic itself which is original and interesting, to the characters, who are so memorable.

Not only that, but it is definitely the queerest book I have read in a long time, and that's in the slashy, modern usage of the word. Wait till you get to the end. Queer queer queer. (Both male and female). It's astonishing. I am Susanna Clarke's bitch. :)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's wonderful! Seriously, I was hoping to draw out some people who were fans of the book. Thank you so much for the non-spoilery squees! I shall try to remember to hit you up when I've finished it so that there can be more squee.

[mereol.livejournal.com]

...keep it until you're done and pay the late fee?

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Heh, that's not the worst idea! But it'll be several weeks, at this rate. Wonder what that would be?

[lapillus]

It is frustrating to get stuck in tiny bits of an audiobook and be unable to finish. You have my great sympathy!

I really do appreciate getting some feedback on this one in particular, however, especially about the reader. Readers can make or break audio books and it's good to be reassured that this one matches the source nicely. Whatever else, your frustrations have not been wholly without some greater benefit.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, goody! Yes, it's SUCH a good performance. I was just listening to "Angels and Demons" (don't laugh, it's a nice long book-on-CD that I didn't think I'd read otherwise and I knew it would last for a while for car drive purposes. And, by the way, I had to return THAT one after 3 weeks because I wasn't done with it, either! I'm still not!) and it's not such a good one for audiobook. Having someone read it out loud highlights the extensive contrivances and exposition, which I'd ordinarily zip through if I were reading at my own pace. I think it'd be a better one in book format. But for this one, half the joy is the performance.

[kellyfaboo.livejournal.com]

JS&MN is so slashy it hurts.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to read/experience more!

[wikdsushi.livejournal.com]

Mr. Norrell was so pining over Jonathan Strange. Just look at them. Look at the way Gilbert acts around Jonathan. It's 100% pure unrequited love. He gives him precious books--regrets it, but gives them--can't lose his temper even when he plans to, stares at him, has long talks. They have long, mysterious conversations with no-one else in the room and no account of what they did, ferfuckssake! I'm convinced that, right before Jonathan left for Spain, Gilbert got him on the floor for a special "don't forget me" blowjob (which was very hot and involved Jonathan looking stunned and smirky, and Gilbert getting saliva all over his chin).

Never mind the ending.

Jonathan = sosobi

Gilbert = sosogayandinlurvewithJonathan

Watch it take another 15 years for her to write the sequel. *sigh* And there be no JS or GN at all. (They're in a fucking enormous pillar of darkness! By themselves! And they can't get more than a short distance away from each other! Of course there's something going on!)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Okay, just so you know, I haven't read your above comment, because I can see there's spoilery stuff in it! So, sorry, I don't know what you said and can't make clever replies. Sorry.

[ariadneelda.livejournal.com]

After reading your post, and all the comments, and Amazon's review, I feel I MUST get that book. Definitely. Not the CDs, as I don't have a car and at home I'd never be able to concentrate on listening to so many CDs. So it has to be the book. *adds it to the books-to-buy list*

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Good! More people to babble about it with! ^_^

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

OMFG -- Amy, I'm just TICKLED you're reading JS & MN. Have you seen this comm --->stonesofyork.

--P

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I can't go look at it yet! I've got to remember to look at it later!

[iibnf.livejournal.com]

Who is doing the reading? I'm about half way through that book at the moment...

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Simon Prebble. He's so good!

[exbentley]

Weirdly enough I had no slashy vibes from the two main characters! But plenty from Childermass. Mmm, Childermass. And someone else, I shan't say much more for fear of spoilage but agh, I love that book. Potter for adults? I'd call it Jane Austen for fanasy readers.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I like your analogy much better, already!

[silentauror.livejournal.com]

Hi! I just thought I'd drop by and *cough* confess that I've been having a little you-love fest over at my journal these days... I just did two massive rec's list postings; one all H/D rec's (since that's what I write, that's what most of the folk hanging about my journal are probably after), and another one tonight of all non H/D stuff, and your stuff is prominently featured. There's something about rec'cing stuff without telling the authors about it that makes me feel a bit like a voyeur, in a bad way, so I thought I'd just tell you. :)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

OMG I'm all OVER there! Lookit!

You are so nice I can't believe it. *smoochy wooches you BIG!*

[jeddy83.livejournal.com]

Argh, something else to add to my must read list.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Afraid so! Mine's already huge, bah.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

then having Stephen King say that he did like the book and recommended it highly, but that it was "not Harry Potter for adults. HARRY POTTER is Harry Potter for adults."

This is just one more reason why I have come to think Stephen King is SO COOL.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

He's a good guy. I like him even better as an opinionated guy than I do as an author--and I like him as an author, really.

Lucky, lucky you!

[hirei.livejournal.com]

Heh, I reserved it at the library to find that they had NO COPIES in ANYWHERE, and I'm number 24 on the list. You said it was just sitting on the shelf? Lucky, lucky you!
Your situation is slightly better than my own - I have a CD player in one place; my computer. Meaning when I want to listen to it (because even if I had wanted to read it rather than listen to it [which I didn't] I couldn't, because they only had the book on CD) I have to wait for the computer to be vacated by everyone else. Keh.

~Hirei

Re: Lucky, lucky you!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and. you know what? I'm going to spend a large chunk of time in the car this weekend--and I won't be able to listen to it, because I'll be with people who don't know the book! Honestly. >_

[antou-san.livejournal.com]

Hi! You know, 2 days ago SilentAuror suggested me to read Droit du Seigner and A world not so black nor white, after I told her about my fic tastes. Then, since I can repeat Droit.. by heart 'cause I read it 100 times about, I read the second one, which I'd always passed-by reading the word "romantic".
Stupid, stupid, stupid me!! How could I? It was FANTASTIC ç__ç so well-written and sweet it made me ache thinking I'll hardly be ever loved so completely, burnt in that way..awww ;__; you're a muse! And your Lucius is always so unbearably amazing..BRAVA!!! <---it comes from my heart!

A great applause to Stephen, too ^_-

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

You are a LOVE. I'm so thrilled you liked them; thank you for the wonderful feedback! (And your icon is cracking me up hugely. Love it.)