Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel | Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel | Susanna Clarke | The Line Between the Mystical and the Physical

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Jonathan Strange &...

	Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel Susanna Clarke Tor Books, 2006 - 1024 pages average customer review:based on 728 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England?s history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England?until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight.

Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell?s student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.

Time Magazine #1 Book of the Year « Book Sense Book of the Year « People Top Ten Books of the Year « Winner of the Hugo Award « A New York Times Notable Book of the Year « Salon.com Top Ten of 2004 «Winner of the World Fantasy Award « Nancy Pearl?s Top 12 Books of 2004 « Washington Post Book World?s Best of 2004 « Christian Science Monitor Best Fiction 2004 « San Francisco Chronicle Best Books of 2004 « Winner of the Locus Award for Best First Novel « Chicago Tribune Best of 2004 « Seattle Times 25 Best Books of 2004 « Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 12 Books of 2004 « Village Voice ?Top Shelf? « Raleigh News & Observer Best of 2004 « Rocky Mountain News critics? favorites of 2004 « Kansas City Star 100 Newsworthy Books of 2004 « Fort Worth Star-Telegram 10 Best Books of 2004 « Hartford Courant Best Books of 2004

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Instant Classic

This evocative tale of English magicians who become associates and eventual rivals/enemies is one of the most impressive literary debut-novels in any genre, ever. Every atmospheric detail is rich and crucial; there is nothing that is not essential to this mesmerizing, often frightening tale. Clarke's graceful-yet-tight writing is to be venerated--she has composed a masterwork to rival that of Tolkien, though in a much different context, of course. Each character, even the most minor, comes to life in a way that mirrors the famous "cathedral statuary" scene at the book's beginning. Much can be said about plot and subplots, but it suffices to reiterate that this is a book about two English magicians who become associates and, eventually, bitter rivals. That should imply enough to get you to buy it NOW.

This should be read by anyone who admires excellence in fiction/historical-fiction, etc. More than just a fantasy, JS&MN is (or will one day be regarded as) a true English-language classic. Without question. Now, let's see what the author has got next, because the little 'Ladies of Grace Adieu' book was ~not~ a good follow-up. Indeed not.

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The Line Between the Mystical and the Physical

There are few novels that can walk the line between the fantastic and the real, where the outstanding becomes inseparable from the common-place, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is one of these books. Susanna Clarke has succeeded in creating a 19th Century England full of magic and mystery, while still being anchored in the realities and histories of 19th Century Europe during the Napoleonic Wars. The novel can best be described as an alternative-history. In this world northern England was once ruled by a magician-king, referred to, among other names, as the Raven King. He is responsible for bringing magic to England, ruling for over 300 years before mysteriously disappearing.

The novel opens long after the departure of the Raven King, magicians are nothing more than glorified scholars, pouring over books about magic, unable themselves to preform any. Magic is gone from England and no one really understands how or why. The great acts of magic performed by the Raven King and the other great magicians has long been sequestered to books and fables. However, an old man appears and performs an extraordinary display of magic, sending all of England into an uproar.

The characters in the novel, on the surface appear rather stereotypical. Mr. Norrell is an old, scholarly magician bent on preserving tradition and pouring over his numerous tomes. His pupil, Jonathan Strange is young and brash, eager to push the boundaries of magic, to experiment rather than read about magical pursuits. However, as the novel wears on you discover each as a depth of character unlike their outward persona's. Each is driven by different fears and passions, and they both have much more in common than they realize.

The novel's greatest strength lies in how believable and tangible the world Mrs. Clarke portrays is brought to life. The novel is littered with footnotes outlining interesting facts and fables (some of which span multiple pages). These are never tedious and all serve to annunciate the "believability" of the story. In this fashion she reminds me of another great English author, J.R.R. Tolkien who went through great pains to add color and depth to his world, expanding upon small details, evening creating a language of his own. Mrs. Clarke also has a keen sense of mixing humor with drama, adding the right touch of levity at appropriate times. Her humor is very much like that of Jane Austen, poking fun at the social dilemmas gentleman and ladies found themselves in during the 19th century, where morality and social acceptability ran counter to emotions.

The novel is broken into three volumes, each segmented into many chapters, with few running more than twenty pages. This does a good job of making the 846 page novel easily digestible. This is Susanna Clarke's first novel and pacing is one issue she has yet to master. The novel lags during a few places (notably during the beginning and end of volume I), and the ending seems to flow in a torrent. However, it is very easy to get lost in the prose, which is succinct and well constructed. Her descriptions of magical acts are particularly well written, with metaphors that precisely illustrate the events at hand in perfect detail.

In the end this is a tremendous novel, one of the best constructed literary worlds I've had the pleasure of exploring.

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Wonderfully Clever Book

Pros: Immerses the reader in the nineteenth century, but still manages the fantasy elements very well. Pulls off the writing style perfectly. Has well drawn characters.

Cons: The pacing is a little off. Begins very slow, but has a rushed ending.

If you are a reader who has to love a book from page one, then you may have a bit of trouble with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. It is certainly never bad, but one is left with the feeling that the story hasn't quite picked up yet for the first 300 - 400 pages. If you are willing to stick it out, however, then this book is certainly worth the trouble.

Once Clarke manages to get all the interlinked plots and subplots going, the story is full of interest. Magic, done up in a polite nineteenth century style, abounds. Clarke creates a rich alternate history complete with stories of magicians that stretch back to the middle ages. The scholarly Norrell is set on bringing magic back to England in his own very modern way. Norrell is a fascinating character, especially when juxtaposed against the much more vibrant Strange. The characters in general are very well drawn and even side characters like Stephen provide a good deal of interest.

Somehow, Clarke has found the perfect balance between writing in a nineteenth century style and writing in a way that will please modern audiences. One gets the feeling that her book could be read by people from either time.

Though the ending is a tad bit rushed, it creates a high degree of excitement. This book is recommended to anyone looking for something different in the world of fantasy. 5+ stars.

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Like and Hate

I waiver between liking this book (I'm only a few pages from the end, so I must like it enough to keep reading) and wishing I'd never bought it.

The plot meanders all over the place. There is no one distinct story. There are several places it could have ended.

My wish is that this was a series rather than a single book. With over 300,000 words there's plenty here for three books.

I'm amazed that Clarke managed to find an agent, much less a publisher. But, I see all those different editions and so many reviews, it must be okay.

Being a writer and knowing a lot of writers, we'd like to know what spell Clarke used to get this first "novel" published. It couldn't be the process the rest of us are going through.

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