Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
I was given this book for Christmas several years ago - I know, it sat on our bookshelves in Zambia for an age. I kept putting it off because I wasn’t sure about the subject matter and it is awfully thick. I was prompted to review my dismissal of it by being given Susanna Clarke’s second book (The Ladies of Grace Adieu) as a present: I may be slow, but I’ve taken the hint.
Length should be ignored. My son was busy reading the longest Harry Potter book at the same time and we were competing for number of pages read, both glued to our novels in our independent ways. JS & Mr N is 1006 pages of pure delight.
The story begins in 1806, concentrating initially on Mr Norrell’s aim to be the only magician in England. He is s fusty old man, largely a recluse who struggles with his move to the fast-paced, social city of London. He believes everything can be learnt from books and protects his vast library at whatever cost. His position as the only magician is challenged by the arrival of Jonathan Strange: young, handsome and daring. It is a tale of fantasy and magic, history and prophecy, politics and personalities.
From the start, the writing draws you into the age and I love the way Susanna misspells words in an old-fashioned way, truly helping you feel you are living through a book written at the time. Being from York myself, I was drawn in by the initial chapters based in the city and the magic taking place in York Minster, but the book travels up and down the country, and indeed to France, Spain, Portugal and Italy, and to the Underworld: to other kings and queens, to ballrooms and eternal melancholy, to fantastical worlds of light and darkness.
It is a superb book that I would recommend to anyone. The only problem is that it had to end.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke can be bought here or at any good bookshop, or find it in your local library.
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