JSMN, again

[regshoe]

It's New Year's Eve, so obviously the most important thing to talk about is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, of which I've just finished my annual re-read. It is brilliant as ever. This time I wasn't particularly making notes on anything and I've not gained any startling new insights beyond the usual renewed appreciation for how beautifully written and constructed it is, so just a few thoughts...

• Thomas Godbless is still my favourite historical character. I just really appreciate his priorities, as well as the descriptions of his style of magic.


• The more times I re-read the book, the more I like Drawlight. He was always obviously important by the end of the book, but (despite his many and obvious flaws) I do actually like him as a character now, and the arc he follows over the course of the story is fascinating.


• So just who was that man in Derbyshire who could read the King's Letters? How did he get to be able to read the King's Letters? How did Robert Findhelm know who he was and when to (attempt to) send the Book to him? There are so many questions in this bit of backstory, it'd make a good ambitious fic project.


• Speaking of which: I have a half-finished crossover with Lolly Willowes which has been sitting neglected on my computer for over a year now, and I intend to get back to it soon.


• I've been trying to draw maps of John Uskglass's kingdom and work out some of the geographical details of the fictional Northern England, which is proving interesting, and I may work it up into a proper meta post for friendsofenglishmagic at some point.