Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Susanna Clarke
2004

The Summary
Susanna Clarke's novel closely follows the lives of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, England's - and, perhaps, the world's - last practicing magicians.  Mr. Norrell and Jonathan Strange, however, are astonishingly different individuals and sorely opposed in their beliefs.

Norrell, a studious little man who prefers the company of books to people and loves the precision of magical spells, and Strange, a natural to his craft and an adventurous explorer in the chaotic principles of magic, frequently clash over doctrine and knowledge and battle socially, as well as politically, to prove their respective points.

But a dangerous new threat has begun arising within the borders of England.  One of the Fae, an ancient and powerfully malevolent race of beings, has his eyes on the magicians - and he won't accept anything less than their suffering.

The Good
Clarke's work is intricate and complex, weaving together ancient lore and modern history and detailed character stories to form an entertaining and exciting novel.  Beautifully executed and fantastically well-written, Clarke incorporates magnificent detail and crafts unusually endearing - and, sometimes, repulsive - characters that will etch them in your memory forever.

More importantly, Clark incorporates thoughtful character connections and historical anecdotes that lend her novel several unusual twists.  In particular, her choice to include crucial historical events, such as the Napoleonic Wars, and to revitalize conventional perceptions of magic provides her novel with a unique flavor.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is not simply enjoyable for its content - which is full of magic and madness and malevolent spirits - but for the skill with which the author combines all the elements of her novel.  It's both thrilling and enjoyable, and certainly well worth the time spent reading it.

The Bad
By the same token, the complexity of Clarke's novel can prove traumatic for the sheer size and weight of her novel.  It's impressive in more than one sense of the word.

The Ugly
The Fae are fantastically beautiful, yet simultaneously strange and grotesque for their cunning and brutality.  In short, the Fae - specifically, the one orchestrating matters - are not particularly nice.  In fact, you might even call them blood thirsty, which gives Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell a slightly sinister air.

Additionally, it's important to note that the novel ends on an unusual note - a slight cliffhanger.  Not to say that the conclusion of Clarke's novel is "bad," of course.  But it may be best to decide for yourself how to treat the final passages of her novel.