Endlessly fascinating and driven by special effects every bit as sophisticated and powerful as the writing and characterization, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a classic.

It's not everyone's cup of oolong, but it is an idiosyncratic tale bracingly told, generously whimsical but embellished with malevolence.

Carvel and especially Marsan give such invigorating performances, and play against each other so beautifully, that they breathe life into a friendship that in the book could feel, at times, a bit schematic.

Smart fun from the start, managing impressive spectacle even if it doesn’t have the visual firepower of the most epic Thrones episodes.

The program features a mix of tones that don’t always sit together comfortably, but taken as a whole this unusual period drama entertains as it winds its way to introduce its lead characters in the premiere episode.

A miniseries premiering tomorrow that occasionally escapes its period-drama trappings to astonish us with an illusion or two.

Devotees of Clarke’s book may get some pleasure out of seeing this world replicated, if only as a husk, onscreen. But fan service only goes so far.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it, from the suttel method of story delivery to the acting and awesome power of the magic. It's quit a dark and Mysterious show with every episode leaving you wanting to find out more.

This is a mini tv-series from BBC1, an adaptation from trilogy novel with the same title. The story mostly faithful with the book *even with the footage*. The cinematography was so classic elegant, also with set background, and mostly the visual effect for just a mini tv-series was so divine. I bought the whole trilogy book in 2009, kept re-read it each year, because I didn't read Harry Potter *I just already enchanted with the movies*. The story was enchanted, it's a story of how magic is no longer be practical in England. Then, suddenly two gentlemen competing for become the prime magician in England. Because I already read the book, of course I know how it ends. But, the final episode of the series was beyond my imagination. The book was written so deep and full of materials, sometimes I was lost but I could understand how strangely, it's a sweet story. Then, in your movie screen, things become alive and perfect, especially the action. You couldn't help it but for mini series, it's amazing action for magic. I must say, we finally found great magic tv series of the year. All the casts are perfection. I wish for many awards to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell ! All the casts are so perfect. like, really. Even, Mr. Norrel's wig. :') Brutal but brilliant.

In this case, less is definitely more: I truly 'suffered' through Susanna Clarke's. 700+ page book. Beyond a wandering search for an interesting plot, beyond boredom, beyond trivial detail, beyond being in a coma, beyond turning into a lifeless mummy crumbled into dust. The writer and director of this TV series deserve beyond insane kudos for distilling a rambling book down to a coherent, compelling plot. 2 of the 3 lead actors (Norrell and the Faerie from Lost Hope) have done a stunningly good job of portraying the essence and meaning of those roles (One subtle, the other **** 3rd lead, Strange, is not bad, just not riveting as is the Faerie role) into characters that create an interest in what comes next. Whereas the novel left me wanting to be put out of my misery of having to read more, this series made it difficult to wait for the next episode, and in the end, wishing there was more to come. Susanna Clarke left open that expectation, speaking of Strange's adventures to come, but never delivered on that. I wish she had - I would've skipped the next book, but looked forward to an equally compelling series as this. If you have read Clarke's book, this will thrill you. I'm not sure what it would be like to see this series without reading the book, and hence knowing what comes next. I imagine it would be satisfying. Bravo!

This series is based on a popular book set in a world where magic is real. This isn't "Harry Potter," though. It's something a bit more dry and distinctly British. Some critics compared the series to "Game of Thrones," but I think that's a mistake. The first episode was quite dry and complex, and had precious little of the appeal of "Game of Thrones." It's getting a good launch behind the popular "Orphan Black," but "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" was not overly compelling in its initial hour.

A tone-deaf adaptation of a spectacular novel. The wit is all but gone and the characterization is, at times, entirely amiss. For instance: whereas it's clear in the book that Stephen Black is terrified of the gentleman with the thistle-down hair (and constantly trying to undermine him), the TV series makes him seem like something of an accomplice! I must say, though, that the grim mood, while absolutely ruining the writing, does wonders for the show's visuals. The sombre colors, the fog, the detailed costumes. Yes, it makes for a particularly convincing period-piece and does a great job establishing an atmosphere, albeit one unfaithful to the source material.