Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

by Susanna Clarke

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Book Overview: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

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.

ISBN-13	9781635576726
ISBN-10	1635576725
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date	2020
Edition	Illustrated
Language	en
Pages	864
Dimensions	in x in x in
Weight	lbs

Editorial Reviews

“Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is unquestionably the finest English novel of the fantastic written in the last 70 years.” —Neil Gaiman

“Clarke’s imagination is prodigious, her pacing is masterly and she knows how to employ dry humor in the service of majesty.” — Gregory Maguire, The New York Times Book Review

“A fiercely funny, beautiful writer, Clarke attacks her subject with the wit and craft of a Dickens or Austen, effortlessly mixing historical figures and events in with her magical ones. And that magic: nobody writes about magic the way Clarke does . . . She writes about magic as if she’s actually worked it.” — Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine

“The writing is captivating, the characters charming, and the notion that perhaps there’s more to reality than what our senses tell us is, as Clarke might say with a smile, simply enchanting.” — NPR

“Ms. Clarke’s fertile imagination takes her readers to many a mysterious realm.” — The New York Times

“The most sparkling literary debut of the year.” — Salon

About the Author

Susanna Clarke

Susanna Clarke is an acclaimed British author best known for her groundbreaking contributions to the genre of historical fantasy. Born on November 1, 1959, in Nottingham, England, Clarke’s unusually rich imagination was first recognized with the publication of her highly successful debut novel, “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell”, which was hailed worldwide, earned her the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2005, and was subsequently adapted into a popular BBC miniseries. With her intricate world-building, unique blend of history and magic, and complex character narratives, Clarke reshaped the landscape of contemporary fantasy writing.

Following her early education in Nottingham, Clarke pursued philosophy, politics, and economics at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. After her graduation, she spent two years teaching English in Turin and Bilbao before settling into various editorial roles in London’s publishing industry. All these experiences greatly influenced her literary style, setting the stage for her meticulously detailed alternate history narratives. Behind her seemingly whimsical tales lies a profound exploration of politics, economics, and social relationships, reflecting her academic background and empathetic perspective.

Having faced health challenges including chronic fatigue syndrome, Clarke’s journey as an author is characterized by perseverance. After her successful debut, she surprised her fans with the publication of another beautiful novel, “Piranesi”, in 2020, a book which swiftly received numerous accolades including the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2021. Emphasizing the strength of human spirit amidst fantastical and uncertain situations, Susanna Clarke continues to redefine fantasy literature, courageously pushing beyond traditional boundaries to create compelling, unique narratives. Her work, imbued with humor, depth, and a distinct sense of wonder, highlights her status as an imaginative and pivotal figure in the literary world.