Review of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell BBC Adaptation

Susannah Clarke’s 2004 breakthrough novel has been beautifully adapted to the small screen, albeit very loosely! But that's the joy of adaptation, you don't have to be strict. The adaptor has complete control over his or her vision of the story. The only problem is that readers are very protective over their own interpretations of the story, confusing their individual, very personal reading experiences with the hard and fast and only true interpretation of the story.

In terms of the key differences between the original source and the adapted series, both the opening and the conclusion sequences are dramatically different. I won't say how here; no spoilers! However, it is important to recognise that they are different, and to understand that the differences derive from the difficulty in transferring a story from one medium to the other.

This means that some elements of the story may be lost due to either the practicalities of filming some particularly fantastical scenes, and also the confines of the time allotted to either the episodes in the series or the running length of the film. The events are also sped up to fill the time. For this BBC mini-series this means that the story moves along at a speedy but pleasant pace making it highly enjoyable to watch. The Napoleonic war scenes are particularly tense and emotive because of this.

What works really well is the characterisation of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, played by Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan respectively. They are more believable and likeable in this series than in the book. Even at their lowest moments they are endearing and captivating. The gentleman with the thistledown hair, played by Marc Warren, was eery and dangerous, presenting not just a threat to Lady Pole and Jonathan Strange, but a very real threat to humanity itself.

The costumes and set are brilliant with real continuity to the past. And the special effects are truly magical!

The unexpected unhappy ending left me wanting another series, I also experienced this when I was reading the original. The date for the sequel is still to be confirmed. In 2004 Susannah Clarke stated that she was writing the sequel but that it instead follows Vinculus and Childermass so maybe I won't get the closure I desire for Jonathan, Arabella and Mr Norrell.

All in all, this is an adaptation to watch but try to just sit back, relax and enjoy the show and celebrate the director’s interpretation by not getting caught up in your own interpretation of the story.