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Susanna Clarke

Author of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

19+ Works 35,832 Members 1,129 Reviews 202 Favorited
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About the Author

Image credit: © Miriam Berkley. Use of image requires permission from Miriam Berkley.

Works by Susanna Clarke

Associated Works

The Sandman: Book of Dreams (1996) — Contributor — 2,006 copies
Black Heart, Ivory Bones (2000) — Contributor — 682 copies
Black Swan, White Raven (1997) — Contributor — 578 copies
Happily Ever After (2011) — Contributor — 291 copies
Tails of Wonder and Imagination: Cat Stories (2010) — Contributor — 210 copies
The Way of the Wizard (2010) — Contributor — 200 copies
The Secret History of Fantasy (2010) — Contributor — 196 copies
Starlight 2 (1998) — Contributor — 137 copies
Drawing Down the Moon: The Art of Charles Vess (2009) — Foreword — 135 copies
Starlight 1 (1996) — Contributor — 132 copies
Starlight 3 (2001) — Contributor — 103 copies
A Fall of Stardust (1999) — Author — 80 copies
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell [2015 TV series] (2015) — Original book — 72 copies

Tagged

19th century (316) 21st century (183) alternate history (706) anthology (902) British (302) British literature (134) ebook (198) England (791) English (155) faeries (340) fairies (300) fairy tales (332) fantasy (6,472) fantasy fiction (124) fiction (4,493) hardcover (175) historical (348) historical fantasy (261) historical fiction (804) horror (366) Kindle (188) literature (151) London (144) magic (1,665) magical realism (158) magicians (387) mystery (184) Napoleonic Wars (205) novel (495) own (206) read (503) sandman (147) science fiction (278) sf (181) sff (295) short stories (1,181) speculative fiction (153) to-read (2,270) unread (428) Victorian (130)

Common Knowledge

Legal name
Clarke, Susanna Mary
Birthdate
1959-11-01
Gender
female
Nationality
UK
Country (for map)
England, UK
Birthplace
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
Places of residence
County Durham, England, UK
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Bilbao, Spain
Turin, Italy
Education
University of Oxford (St Hilda's College)
Occupations
editor
novelist
short-story writer
Relationships
Greenland, Colin (partner)
Awards and honors
British Book Award (Newcomer of the Year, 2005)
Waterstones 25 Authors for the Future (2007)
Short biography
Susanna Mary Clarke (born 1 November 1959) is a British author best known for her debut novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2004), a Hugo Award-winning alternate history. Both Clarke's novel and her short stories are set in a magical England and written in a pastiche of the styles of 19th-century writers such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

Members

Discussions

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in Folio Society Devotees (November 16)

Reviews

If I could give it zero I would. It was pointless, boring, confusing, and pretentious.
 
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samba7 | 241 other reviews | Nov 30, 2023 |
I listened to this on audiobook (from the NYPL) so I don't quite know how it would be to read it.

An odd book this — I'm not sure it amounts to that much, and it is certainly overlong... but it is just so enjoyable, so well realised, and also very amusing in an understated way. So many nice flourishes.

It probably isn't a 5* book in a platonically ideal reality, but it surpassed expectations, and delighted me, and that's pretty good.
 
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thisisstephenbetts | 754 other reviews | Nov 25, 2023 |
Delightful read — one could almost say enchanting, magical, etc. Elegantly crafted. I think it's fair to say that the journey was probably more satisfying than the destination — ultimately it felt a tiny bit abrupt. Once all the reveals were revealed it wrapped up unceremoniously, while I would have enjoyed a bit more about the aftermath, and what happened to the characters I'd grown fond of. But highly recommended for those who like this kind of thing — literary fantasy, with minimal world-building, but a good draft of mystery.… (more)
 
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thisisstephenbetts | 241 other reviews | Nov 25, 2023 |
Such a fascinating book with such a lovely concept.The contemplation of the world we live in, and the beauty it provides us. The story does not initially present itself as a mystery book, but slowly reveals its true nature. I was intrigued from the first page and found myself connecting to the curious yet steadfast nature of the narrator. His journey and discovery, his awakening if you will, are a reminder of the importance of questioning our reality. The commentary throughout the story is almost a reminder of the importance asking questions and being innately curious.

Additionally the imagery of this story was so vivid. I was able to sit with boyfriend who has already read the story and listen to his description of what he saw in his mind compared to my own picture of the setting in my head. Everything was well described, and not just visually, but the other senses as well creating a very immersive reading experience. It was a quick read, but very enlightening and exciting to read.
… (more)
 
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clougreen | 241 other reviews | Nov 23, 2023 |

Lists

Awards

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Associated Authors

Simon Prebble Narrator
Helene Bützow Translator
Neil Gaiman Introduction
Viktor Janiš Translator
Paola Merla Translator
Portia Rosenberg Illustrator
Paul Ruben Producer
William Webb Cover designer
Astrid Finke Translator
David Mann Cover designer
Petra Borner Cover artist
Davina Porter Narrator
Charles Vess Illustrator

Statistics

Works
19
Also by
20
Members
35,832
Popularity
#523
Rating
4.0
Reviews
1,129
ISBNs
183
Languages
22
Favorited
202
Touchstones
1,193

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