[Straker]

I recently finished a novel called The Meaning of Night, which while not a fantasy did contain copious footnotes. At first they were mildly interesting but after a time they became simply annoying. This is especially true because of the necessity of using the five-way controller to access footnotes on the Kindle, which I find awkward. I'm currently debating whether to buy Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell and one of the things weighing against it is the fact that it's heavily footnoted.

On footnotes in general, someone once said it was like having to answer a knock at the door on your wedding night...