This is a short collection of stories by the Gaiman-esque author who brought us Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. If that novel's length and loquacity drove you crazy, you are in luck here -- Clarke revisits the same magical world vision and uses much of the same neo-victorian tone as in the novel, but none of these stories is overwrought or over-long. If, on the other hand, you didn't care for the novels tone or characters or style or perspective, you may as well pass on the stories, because not only do we have the same world, etc. but some very familiar characters pop up here as well. For those who really enjoyed the novel, I suspect you are the target audience. There are some inside nods and some satisfying plots here. While not a collection to be read at one sitting -- one does need some time in between each piece to consider and savor -- I think this is well worth the read.

The intriguing title turns out to be a disappointing red herring ('Grace Adieu' is the name of a village), but I found these short stories delightful and compelling, and a very easy read. Reading this also inspired me to take another bash at 'Jonathan Strange', which, actually, was worthwhile after all. ( )

What a simply stunning collection of short stories about magic. Never unsatisfying and always a pleasure. Susanna Clarke is one of the best authors of all time. ( )

Illustrated collection of stories about fairies, magic, and man set in and about Great Britain. Fun, whimsical and plenty cheeky. Clarke is a master of ye olde faerie tale. ( )

Story 1. The Ladies of Grace Adieu I thought was strange, I couldn’t comprehend it.
Story 2. On Lickerish Hill I thought was delightful and witty. Has some aspects of Rumplestiltskin by the Brothers Grimm about it , however, Clarke’s version is way more superior than theirs.
Story 3. Mrs. Mabb I thought was delightful and witty.
Story 4. The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse is pathetic, silly and preposterous. Fortunately, it is only seven pages long.
Story 5. Mr. Simonelli is excellent. Wonderfully well-written.
Story 6. Tom Brightwiind is foolish, pointless and not very good.
Story 7. Anticks and Frets is a slight episode about Mary Queen of Scots.
Story 8. John Uskglass is another foolish story.

This collection covers a spectrum from the sublime to the ridiculous, from very excellent to really rather poor. There are three stories in the collection that shows Clarke to be an excellent writer, the characterisation is first class, and the stories are witty and delightful: On Lickerish Hill, Mrs. Mabb and Mr. Simonelli. The others are just tosh. Some stories I found to be incomprehensible or downright foolish and I resented a writer of her calibre foisting these stories on me as literature. Shame on you, Susanna, you naughty girl, don’t do it again!

So while I admired her skill in the good stories I was overall disappointed in this mixed bag, a bit like a grocer putting the rotten tomatoes underneath the good ones hoping you pay for them and all and not notice.

Clarke is a very good writer and I am looking forward to reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I think the longer form is better suited to her considerable talents.

My Recommendation:

Cons:

Susanna Clarke was ill-advised to put out this collection as 62,5% of it is frankly, not very good.

Pros:

Contains three excellent stories, read those and leave the filler. ( )