Smith-- I Capture The Castle

Dodie Smith
I Capture the Castle
5 of 5 stars
This is one of my favorite books. Takes place in England in the post-WWII era, the story of an unusual family as told by the younger of 2 daughters (the middle child). She loves, she lusts, she grows up... It is so beautifully written. Dodie Smith also wrote 101 Dalmatians, upon which the Disney movie was based. Her book so thoroughly blows away the movie, I half feel bad for the cartoon. She has amazing literary skill. Ah, if only...

Clarke- Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel

Susanna Clarke
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel
4.95 stars (out of 5)
About the return of Magic to England in the Regency period. Half novel, half faux-historical record. Very Good, but very long. 800+ pages, lots of footnotes. The first 100 pages or so are slow, but it becomes engrossing as plot develops, along about the time Johnathan Strange is introduced. I'd have given 5 stars, but I am anti-footnote, although it is amazing how Clarke created references, legend, a whole alternate history of England. This is not a quick read, but it was so worth the time!