Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2004) Susanna Clarke

I got Michael this book for Christmas last year, but put off reading it myself because the book is huge: 800 pages huge. It’s not the kind of book I could curl up with; instead I had to set the book on the table, or prop it up in my lap, or lean it against a pillow.

But it was worth it.

This is an excellent book. I loved the story. I loved the characters. I loved the setting. I loved the idea. I loved the writing. I loved everything.

It’s the 19th century, and magic has almost entirely disappeared from England. There are theoretical magicians who study the old texts and stories, but there do not seem to be any practical magicians.

Until Mr Norrell shows up.

Mr Norrell was very well pleased. Lord Liverpool was exactly the sort of guest he liked–one who admired the books buy shewed no inclination to take them down from the shelves and read them.

Despite everything, I like Mr Norrell.

But that’s all I want to tell you, because one of the things I loved about this book is discovering what happens and watching the story unfold.

The characters are also wonderful. I love Jonathan Strange–he’s wonderful. And the other characters are also very good, especially Stephen Black. There is something about Stephen Black then I just kept hoping that things were going to work out for him.

And I loved the writing.

Today Spitalfields is inhabited by the low and the poor and is much plagued with small boys, thieves, and other persons inimicable to the peace of citizens.

I love the buried in descriptions and if you aren’t paying attention you’ll miss it, kind of humor.

And the descriptions themselves, of this strange England, are wonderful. They remind me somewhat of Arthur Conan Doyle’s descriptions of England and the countryside, though I don’t know exactly why.

And the real bits that she works in are lovely, like this bit about Lord Byron.

And though my companions are careful to tell people that I am that dreadful being, an English magician, I am clearly nothing in comparison to an English poet and everywhere I go I enjoy the reputation—quite new to me I assure you—of the quiet, good Englishman, who makes no noise and is no trouble to anymore…

This is simply a wonderful book.

If you have not already read it (it has, after all, been out for more than a year) I highly recommend you read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. But set aside some time and space at home for it, because this isn’t a book you can stick in your pocket and take with you.

And this book was very close to being a 10/10. Only the sheer size of the book, and how uncomfortable it was to read, knocked it down to a 9.
Rating: 9/10

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