Published in 2004, it is an alternative history set in 19th-century England around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Its premise is that magic once existed in England and has returned with two men: Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange. Centred on the relationship between these two men, the novel investigates the nature of "Englishness" and the boundaries between reason and unreason, Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Dane, and Northern and Southern English cultural tropes/stereotypes. It has been described as a fantasy novel, an alternative history, and a historical novel. It inverts the Industrial Revolution conception of the North-South divide in England: in this book the North is romantic and magical, rather than rational and concrete.
I have literally had a copy of this book since it came out and was finally able to read it through the magic of audiobooks. The narrator is very good and does distinct character voices that made it much easier to follow and digest. The book itself was very enjoyable, as long novels often are, once you really get into them. There is A LOT of world building and detail, and the characters were mutlifaceted and interesting and the language surrouning faerie and magic was very evocative. Highly recommended.
I first read Susanna Clarke’s masterpiece when it first came out. I still have the lovingly worn hardcover US edition, with frayed edges and we’ll-thumbed pages. Considering how important ancient and lost texts are to the story, this somehow makes my copy even more authentic somehow. It is a remarkable piece of world-building as well as a literary analysis of early 19th century English Literature. Part Jane Austen, part Patrick O’Brien, and part Ann Radcliffe, this novel feels like the most thoroughly explored world that I’ve ever seen communicated in a single work.
Review of 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This is a masterpiece. Five stars is not enough.
(BTW, I HATE SPOILERS, so you will NOT find any here.)
Forget everything you think you know about how a novel should be written. Ms. Clarke makes her own rules and the result is astounding. I think it is best to approach Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell without any expectations, and to surrender and be led on its sublime odyssey.
In this brilliantly written epic literary historical fantasy (I suppose that is its sub- sub- sub-genre), we are transported to the early 19th century where we meet some very engaging magicians and follow them on their paths, and we explore English magic and its history.
I was swept away by the style in which this is written, which is very much like a British classic, so it flawlessly captures the time in which it takes place. The prose is magnificent …
This is a masterpiece. Five stars is not enough.
(BTW, I HATE SPOILERS, so you will NOT find any here.)
Forget everything you think you know about how a novel should be written. Ms. Clarke makes her own rules and the result is astounding. I think it is best to approach Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell without any expectations, and to surrender and be led on its sublime odyssey.
In this brilliantly written epic literary historical fantasy (I suppose that is its sub- sub- sub-genre), we are transported to the early 19th century where we meet some very engaging magicians and follow them on their paths, and we explore English magic and its history.
I was swept away by the style in which this is written, which is very much like a British classic, so it flawlessly captures the time in which it takes place. The prose is magnificent - Ms. Clarke sculpts the language to create a beautiful work of art, with incredible intricacy.
I think the story is phenomenal - the reader has no idea where it may take him/her, and I was delighted with every twist, every turn. It starts slowly, and the story line builds, ever so gradually, but steadily and teasingly, progressing toward a crescendo - all at a slow pace that's almost maddening, but it's such a tantalizing and exciting experience that I didn't want it to end. It gives the reader (me, anyway) the sense that something tremendous will happen. And of course, it does.
I adore the characters, all of whom are brilliantly crafted and every one of them jumps off the page. I found each of them fascinating and memorable, some venturing into "favorite characters" territory. Ms. Clarke deftly blends historical figures and events, English folklore, a fascinating background of magic, and amazing characters to form an alternate history that is seamless, richly detailed and uniquely hers. And she makes it believable.
There is more elaborate detail in this book than I have probably ever seen, well, anywhere, making the world-building pretty much incomparable. Copious footnotes educate us about this alternate history and its events, figures and countless other things of interest with magnificent detail.
It's also hilarious. The dry and often dark humor fitting naturally into the already fantastic story makes this book soar into the realm of the finest works I've ever read. It made me laugh out loud, chuckle to myself, and probably sit there with a dorky grin on my face through a lot of scenes.
The magic is dazzling and creative, and each spell seems to brilliantly reflect the personality of the person casting it. It's perfect.
The story does move slowly, and it took me a little while to really get absorbed - I think I needed to get used to it and adjust myself accordingly. But once I did, I grew more enthralled with every page.
I knew by about halfway through that this book would be heading to my favorites list, regardless of how it may have ended. I'm confident it will remain there forever, and that it will be a book I want to reread countless times.
So, Ms. Clarke, about that sequel... :)
People seem to either love this book or hate it. I'd highly recommend it if:
- You enjoy reading classics, particularly British ones (or don't mind their style) (otherwise the style might lose you) - You appreciate dry humor (and dark humor) (if you don't see the humor, it will lose a tremendous amount of its charm, maybe most of it) - You like fantasy, but you're not looking for a fast-paced, action-packed, Hollywood blockbuster-type of book (it's not) - You don't mind a slow-paced story with an immense amount of detail and you don't mind taking your time with it (this is essential)
It will also help if: - You appreciate prose and enjoy colorful use of language (that made me savor it) - You appreciate world building (the amount of detail may otherwise annoy you)
I can't say enough good things about this book. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's one of the best I've ever read.
Review of 'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This book is amazing. I listened to it after listening to Dickens's Christmas Carol (which was excellent) and the first two books in the Bartimaeus Trilogy (which are enjoyable). This was like the perfect mix. The imagination of Stroud with the writing skill of Dickens. It also reminds one of Neil Gaiman's American Gods. Brilliant. I will certainly pick up an illustrated copy and read it in the years to come.
Review of 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This was enchanting. I have heard very good things about this book (as well as some not so good things). After reading it, I think I will have to agree with those who loved JS & MN. It was long (782 pages), though it didn't feel that way, despite the relatively slow pace of the narrative. The writing is much slower than most books nowadays and the plot points were revealed one by one throughout the book; it wasn't until the last 100 pages or so that I finally had an inclination about how everything would resolve itself, and even then, Clarke still provided a number of interesting twists. Clarke's written a world in which magic is a divisive political issue, a passion, and in vogue. Her characters are flawed and there were times I found myself intensely disliking the main characters, only to have them redeem themselves by the …
This was enchanting. I have heard very good things about this book (as well as some not so good things). After reading it, I think I will have to agree with those who loved JS & MN. It was long (782 pages), though it didn't feel that way, despite the relatively slow pace of the narrative. The writing is much slower than most books nowadays and the plot points were revealed one by one throughout the book; it wasn't until the last 100 pages or so that I finally had an inclination about how everything would resolve itself, and even then, Clarke still provided a number of interesting twists. Clarke's written a world in which magic is a divisive political issue, a passion, and in vogue. Her characters are flawed and there were times I found myself intensely disliking the main characters, only to have them redeem themselves by the end of the book. Highly recommended, and not just to fantasy fans. My only complaint was that while most of the subplots were resolved, there was still so much more that could be done. Despite this, I don't think this is a book that should have a sequel. It is almost perfect all alone and I think a sequel could only hurt it. Though, perhaps Susanna Clarke will surprise me again.
