Who Would Like This Book:
Step into a meticulously crafted alternate Regency England where magic once flourished and is poised for a comeback. Susanna Clarke's writing is sharp, witty, and dripping with Austenian charm, pairing dry humor with delicious darkness. The book's world–complete with magical footnotes, vast lore, and eccentric magicians–feels so real you’ll almost double-check your textbooks for mentions of the Raven King. A perfect treat for fans of historical fiction, lovers of all things British, Jane Austen or Dickens enthusiasts, and anyone who dreamed Harry Potter might one day grow up, buy an overstuffed armchair, and get lost in magical footnotes. If you adore immersive world-building and layered character studies, you’ll find an enchanting companion here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Fair warning: this is a tome, and it takes its time getting anywhere (imagine tea with a very detail-oriented Victorian). The pacing can be slow, with the first 100–200 pages setting the scene before real magic sparks fly. Some readers found the cast pompous or unlikable - and the book’s many (sometimes lengthy) footnotes can interrupt the storytelling flow. If you crave fast-paced action, straightforward storytelling, or characters you’ll want to invite for drinks after, you may feel stranded in a foggy British countryside with this one. Those who get itchy at dense, Dickensian prose or historical mannerisms might feel bogged down.
About:
'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' by Susanna Clarke is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set in an alternate version of nineteenth century England. The story follows two magicians, Mr. Norrell and Jonathan Strange, as they delve into the restoration of magic in England and eventually aid in the country's victory in the Napoleonic Wars. The book intricately weaves together intricate world-building, fascinating characters, and a plot that unfolds slowly but steadily, keeping readers engaged through its detailed descriptions and rich storytelling style.
The writing style of 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' is described as dense, detailed, and somewhat long-winded, reminiscent of nineteenth-century literature. The author, Susanna Clarke, creates a world that is both captivating and immersive, with elements of humor, pointed digs, and a cynical outlook on the usefulness of magic. The book is known for its historical accuracy, extensive footnotes that add depth to the narrative, and its ability to transport readers to a world where magic and reality intertwine seamlessly.
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From The Publisher:
In the Hugo-award winning, epic New York Times Bestseller and basis for the BBC miniseries, two men change England's history when they bring magic back into the world.
In the midst of the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, most people believe magic to have long since disappeared from England - until the reclusive Mr. Norrell reveals his powers and becomes an overnight celebrity.
Another practicing magician then emerges: the young and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's pupil, and the two join forces in the war against France.
But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wild, most perilous forms of magic, and he soon risks sacrificing his partnership with Norrell and everything else he holds dear.
Susanna Clarke's brilliant first novel is an utterly compelling epic tale of nineteenth-century England and the two magicians who, first as teacher and pupil and then as rivals, emerge to change its history.
Ratings (383)
Incredible (97) | |
Loved It (119) | |
Liked It (64) | |
It Was OK (63) | |
Did Not Like (36) | |
Hated It (4) |
Reader Stats (1040):
Read It (378) | |
Currently Reading (13) | |
Want To Read (434) | |
Did Not Finish (70) | |
Not Interested (145) |
17 comment(s)
Intelligent and wonderfully humorous, Clarke's bear of a novel was a refreshing new take on the dueling magicians story. In Clarke's world, magic is as much an object of study and tool for innovation as science. She immerses us in the body of magical scholarship and history that has captured the protagonists' imagination and impelled them to not only learn about magic, but practice it.
Two magicians shall appear in England...
The first shall fear me; the second shall long to behold me;
The first shall be governed by thieves and murdereres; the second shall conspire at his own destruction;
The first shall bury his heart in a dark wood beneath the snow, yet still feel its ache;
The second shall see his dearest possession in his enemy's hand...
The first shall pass his life alone, he shall be his own gaoler;
The second shall tread lonely roads, the storm above his head, seeking a dark tower upon a high hillside...
I sit upon a black throne in the shadows but they shall not see me.
The rain shall make a door for me and I shall pass through it;
The stones shall make a throne for me and I shall sit upon it...
The nameless slave shall wear a silver crown
The nameless slave shall be king in a strange country...
So states the prophecy that forms the central focus of this book. I highly recommend following Strange and Norrell on their journey to discover the practical uses of magic (particularly useful in war, not so much in marriage) and defeat a common enemy with thistledown hair.
P.S. It gets better! There's a BBC adaptation calling my name :)
I haven’t been brave enough to watch the series, since this novel played like a movie in my head and will be hard to live up to.
I picked up this book without hesitation after liking
Piranesi and hearing this novel hailed as “a Harry Potter book for adults”. I think the latter is true only in the sense that it is a book about magic; but this one is more sophisticated rather than a whimsical children's tale. Clarke writes it well when she says that - in the context of Harry Potter - it’s “harder for adults to be enchanted” the same way as children can be; therefore a book read as a child rarely has the same impact as an adult.
However, this 900 page tome achieves what Clarke seems to admire about other magical stories - the fact that while reading them, you feel that magic must exist and be perfectly real. But to accomplish that, she feels it has to be sometimes disappointing. I love that. She executes this perfectly in her elaborate and intricate world which combines rich magical history with factual events from 1800s England.
I found this book to be wonderful! The last two hundred pages are well worth waiting for. As far as the footnotes go, i found most of them quite interesting, however at times in the beginning more interesting than the story itself and ended up being distracting.
About half way through the book takes a turn to a darker side. But in this darker tale, the author's ability is truly shown. Her ability to bring forth images with such clarity is truly amazing. The imagery of many passages alone is worth reading the book for.
I found myself quite taken with Mrs. Pole and Mrs. Strange.
This book is great for igniting the imagination! And is a definite recommendation
An Epic tale of epic proportions. My first tale of a world, so detailed it leaves you in awe.
An enjoyable read but slower than I was expecting. Some fantasic ideas and great characters throughout. I felt like it was building to a bigger ending than we got. I think I am the victim of expecting something more due to some of the hype I had heard. I would still very much recommend this book and I am really looking forward to seeing the tv series based on it.
Hated it.
Expertly crafted historical setting effortlessly blended with the dangerously fantastical. Rich, complex characters who are people of their time. A totally engrossing writing style with asides and footnotes and sharp dialogue that left me laughing with delight. So many tiny elements that combined to make up exactly the sort of story I crave. I wasn't expecting to be enthralled, but I was from the first page. Maybe it rewired my brain a little bit. Instant favorite.
It was well written and an unique storyline however I don't think I see the masterpiece worthynes of it. It's not as groundbreaking amazingness as I thought it would have been and maybe I simply hyped it up to much in my head. But I think for a such big book it just wasn't enough pay off. I really really wanted to love it tough. Maybe I'll give it a reread someday
It started out very slow and it took me a while to read it, but towards the end, I wanted more. Gah.
It's a very interesting take on traditional magic, without the fireballs and grandiose displays.
What can you read after
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?
About the Author:
Susanna Clarke was born in Nottingham, England, in 1959, the eldest daughter of a Methodist minister. She was educated at St Hilda's College, Oxford, and has worked in various areas of nonfiction publishing. She has published a number of short stories and novellas in American anthologies, as well as her collection of short stories entitled The Ladies of Grace Adieu, and Other Stories.
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