Play Matt: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Review

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell told a story of competing...

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I too, love JS&MN. So much so, I met S Clarke and had her sign my HC copy. Tell me you enjoyed the short story collection.
Thanks for the review. I'm pleased to know there is some value here, but I'm still on the fence. My wife would be my primary opponent, and she has a firm time limit on gaming. The box lid suggestion would indicate that this title will over-stay its welcome with her.
How long were your games?

drewcula wrote: I too, love JS&MN. So much so, I met S Clarke and had her sign my HC copy. Tell me you enjoyed the short story collection.

I have not, but have immediately ordered a copy!

drewcula wrote: Thanks for the review. I'm pleased to know there is some value here, but I'm still on the fence. My wife would be my primary opponent, and she has a firm time limit on gaming. The box lid suggestion would indicate that this title will over-stay its welcome with her.
How long were your games?

The game length is quite variable, but 2 players probably averages about 75 minutes. The first one or two might be more like 90. With practice it should get down closer to 60.

drewcula wrote: I too, love JS&MN. So much so, I met S Clarke and had her sign my HC copy.

I'm a little jealous. My first edition is practically begging for her signature.

The short stories are pretty good. Except for that one purposely written as if an illiterate person wrote it. Couldn't even finish that one.

Good review!

I am not a fan of the book at all, but this is one of the only properties where shoehorning in a track as the villian actually makes any thematic sense. Thistledown is the villain but virtually never interacts with any of the characters in any sort of coherent, villanous way, besides Stephen, that continues throughout the story. There's a showdown at the end but it's hard to conceptualize his villanous activities before then as anything more than a vague track of threat.

Terrific review Matt. I love the narrative style regardless but this one works particularly well. (No footnotes though.... ?)

Just got this for Father's Day- My kids love the show - I have never been exposed to the source material. Excited to give it a whirl, since it guarantees plays with my girls.

This has been on my shelf for close to a year now whilst I muster the courage to check it out. One of my favourite novels of all time has a game? I fell over myself to grab it. Prior to play I casually scanned some reviews and...they were not kind. This is one of the best (and best written) of the bunch. Perhaps it's time.