One of the best novels I have read in many
937688
One of the best novels I have read in many, many years. Great characterizations, spell-binding story, and non-stop action. I immediately purchased all remaining Don Winslow novels (8 or 9) and have been reading them all. Mr Winslow has MADE my entire "reading summer" !!!
4638019
This is by far the best novel that I've read by Richard Russo. I love his characters, I love the way they relate (or fail to relate) to each other. There are so many interesting points to ponder: Is it better to love or to be loved? What exactly is "learning"? Are we truly creatures with the ability to make choices, or is choice an illusion? What is the artist's role? The story of (mainly) two families is absorbing, if perhaps a bit fragmented. If it weren't so long, I'd read Bridge of Sighs again. I may do so anyway.
1481137
One of the best novels I have ever read. It's about a family and an illness. It's also about love, friendship, careers, marriage, and children. Beautifully written, with great sensitivity and brilliance. Highly recommended for those who love a great novel.
2686534
I have read very few novels that have touched me like this one!  I sincerely apologize for not explaining further....but highly suggest one reads it!!
2480063
Disappearing in Plain Sight is one of the best novels I have read in years:  the writing in beautiful; the characters (and there are five) are believable and all are people I would love to have a chance to know; the plot is complex and compelling and kept me turning pages well beyond when I should have been asleep more than one night.

I certainly will be looking for more work by this author.
2162101
One of the best novels I have read in a long long time. I was thought satisfied. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
3337520
This is rather a complex novel, in that there are quite a few characters and different events taking place. However, as the story progresses, the focus from one event to another become easier to follow, especially as you learn of the connections between the people and events. In fact, the gradual putting together of each event and learning of the connections between all the characters and their circumstances, was exceptionally well done.

The character development is excellent, with a fascinating array of characters from powerful and intelligent women, a vulnerable but incredibly strong teenage girl, to criminals, rapists, a devoted teacher, a social worker under pressure, various nationalities & religions, all adding further depth to this somewhat harrowing story.

The topics covered in this novel are not for the faint-hearted, such as rape, abuse, violence and human trafficking. However, at the same time I'd like to add that I did not feel anything was glamorised. All the topics feel very sincere and real. As a woman who lived in the Yorkshire city of Bradford for a few years during my late teens in the 1990s, and was forced to experience things I really wish I hadn't, although finding some of the subject matter hard to digest at times because of my own personal experiences, I cannot express enough how well some of the subjects were approached.

This novel also covers multiculturalism and religion. On one side of the coin there are the rough Polish gang types, showing little respect for anyone, and who you really don't want to mess with. Also, the Afghan migrants, who you really wouldnt wish to encounter either. Yet, on the other side of the coin you have the Muslim family from Basra who believe in kindness and integration into society. I loved the father, Abdul's dreams and ideals that Muslim, Christian and Jewish scholars should come together and teach reconciliation not division. He has a true respect for the country and culture he is now part of:

"In a society that has offered us protection, he tells his sons, people are face to face, confessing to their faults, meeting each other's eyes, and in general showing that they are free, fair and accountable. We commit a terrible offence by hiding our faces when others so openly expose themselves to judgement. The headscarf, yes, but not the veil."

I found this to be quite a powerful statement that gives hope of a peaceful society across all cultures and religions.

The relationship that develops between a male teacher & a teenage girl, who is a pupil of his, is also very sensitively approached and impossible not to get emotionally involved in their unfortunate situation. Leading me onto one more quote Id like to take from this novel, as I felt it summed things up rather well. How often do we look at situations in front of us in a far too complex way, rather than just focusing on the important things:

This thing weve been living through. Its not about people trafficking, immigration, community relations; its not about racism, multiculturalism, and all the things I am supposed to put at the top of my agenda as a social worker; its not about forced marriage, honour killing or the enslavement of women. It is about that girl and how to give her back her life.

On that note, Id like to recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written novel with depth, that challenges our thoughts on many very real aspects of modern day society.

I would also strongly recommend this book be used as part of a book club read, as there are lots of topics that would make for great discussion.

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4504745
One of the best novels I have read in a long time!  Full of twists and  turns, both human and otherwise. A must read!
341676
This was recommended to me by my future mother-in-law, without saying much about the story.  So I didn't have any expectations coming into it.  I really loved this book!  It is not for everyone.  The novel is not cohesive, the characters change with every chapter, and you have to pay attention in order to keep up with everyone.  Having said this, I thought the book was very engaging with its depth, and its window into the characters' minds.  They are real people with real flaws, and as I continued reading, I could see these characters walking along side me on the sidewalk.

It is not a typical story, and when someone asked me, "What is it about?", I didn't have a clear answer.  It is about the 6 degrees of seperation, and how people are connected to each other, and basically about the life that each character is experiencing at that moment in time.  It is depressing at times, but at others simply raw and honest.  I think some of the bad reviews come from people's own discomfort in perhaps seeing themselves in the novel.  The claim that time makes on our lives as human beings is not always positive, causing people to hate the direction of the book.  However, story lines like these, are what makes the novel realistic and a good read.

If you want to try something different, and move on from the typical novel, then read this book.  I hope you like it!
3161694
One of the best books I have read in ages.  I admit to having tears in my eyes often, from sadness as well as heartfelt moments. Some of the harrowing scenes are still with me, they are so well written.  When I stumble and  take a chance on finding new things, such as this, I feel so lucky.  Anyone who reads this novel will be lucky as well.
4691020
One of my all time favorite novels, read again for the first time in many, many years.
2937935
Definitely a great novel, one of the best reads in a long time. Inspired me to by the next books. I could not put it down, the twists, descriptions and emotions made it such a wonderful book.
3210686
The best novel I have read in quite awhile.  This was a true work of literature, not just some lame me-too story or thriller like so many novels today.  The way this story develops into an incredible conclusion is amazing.  I finished it a week ago and still continue to think about it.
4813492
This debut novel from Susanne Clarke is one of my all-time favorite books. I've read this long, wandering and complex novel several times, and I've often tried to think through why this novel appeals to me so much.

I think I've narrowed it down to three factors, all of which are hard to pin down, nebulous and complex traits of a great novel.

The first is the fact that the story is well grounded in Napoleonic and British history is important to me. I LOVE novels that are well grounded in history, whether fake history (like the Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones) or real history (like Jonathon Strange or Tim Powers masterful DECLARE and Stress of Her Regard). The story needs to feel as if it has a skeleton of deep reality under it, and that that reality is fully fleshed and real to the characters.

The second is the Jane Austen-like tone of the novel, in which English social mores are vitally important to the "gentlemen" and "ladies" of the novel, and it is fascinating to see how perfectly Susanna Clarke mirrors this style of 18th/19th century writing, and makes it come to life again. One of my favorite moments of dialogue in the novel encompasses this entirely: "Can a magician kill a man by magic?" Lord Wellington asked Strange. Strange frowned. He seemed to dislike the question. "I suppose a magician might," he admitted, "but a gentleman never would."

Finally, the complex and intertwining plot strands are endlessly fascinating to me. Clarke makes the intricate plotwork look marvelously easy, and I find it hard to believe she'll ever find a way of topping this kind of amazing storytelling. And integral to the plot is the way that these characters are fully fleshed real people with problems, relationship issues and a sense of their own proportion in the world -- Childermass is an excellent example of this sense of his own worth, even against a world that devalues him as merely a "servant."

These are just a few of the many wonderful attributes of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that makes it such an amazing read, and one of my favorite books.
4796991
This is probably the best novel I have read in the last 10 years- my only question is why hadn't I heard of it before since it was writtten some time ago. How Roth gets into the mind of a small boy is remarkable- I could not put this book down!
4251963
One of the most interesting and enjoyable novels I have read in years. I read all 325 pages in three sittings and, when I turned the last page, wish that I had just started it.
3967943
This is probably one of the best novels I have read that is set in the time of Kings and Queens, and wars and warriors.  The characters are intriguing, the story engaging.  I had a hard time putting it down.  Touche to Jane Shoup for such a good read.