Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel (2004)

This is written in an early 19th century tone. Racism and Class-ism abound in historically accurate ways but it is the nature of the characters and the time, not the author's prejudices that add that flavor to the telling of the story.

It is a convoluted story that wanders off in multiple directions. The ending is never obvious until you actually get to it. It isn't "happily ever after" but it is satisfactory.

This is a very good choice for fans of Jane Austen and urban fantasy. ( )

England in the early 19th Century, at war with France and magic forgotten across the land. A few worthy gentlemen read books of magic but they are merely theoretical magicians, there are no practical magicians any more. However one man seems to be more knowledgable than others, he collects books and lives quietly, challenged to show magic, Mr Norrell makes the stones of York Cathedral speak. Then he casts a spell to resurrect a wealthy and beautiful society woman, but this spell has unforeseen consequences. As his pupil, the young and glamorous Jonathan Strange, seems to upstage him through feats in warfare, Mr Norrell becomes more concerned that magic should be the preserve of the few.

I bought this book when it first came out, a decade ago, but never got into it. It's a massive tome (1000 pages) and has many footnotes which make it a complex read. However with more time on my hands I persevered and fell in love with the imagination that created this story.

Yes, it's flabby in places and the ending is complex, but it is just marvellous ( )

Mr Norrell declares to the Society of Magicians in York (who are theoretical practitioners only) that he can perform actual magic. No one has seen actual magic for hundreds of years, but Mr Norrell makes good on his claim. At this point I was hooked, mainly by the beautiful writing and by the gentle tone and dry humour.

Then Mr Norrell goes to London and seeks to become famous by assisting the government with his magic, but only on his own terms and only by practising limited, "safe" magic. Things become more complicated when he brings Lady Pole back to life and then accepts Jonathan Strange as his pupil. Overall, I enjoyed this novel, which is a very long, but not a difficult read. However, I almost never read fantasy novels and found the arbitrariness of the "rules" governing the magic and the general moving of the goal posts whenever it suited the plot frustrating. The sections devoted to the defeat of Bonaparte went on so long I began to feel as if I were experiencing the Napoleonic Wars in real time.

I would however love to read another novel by this author if she switched genres. ( )

This is one of my all-time favorite books; I am proud to say that I own both the black and white hardcover copies and they have very important spots on their shelf.
Aside from the Harry Potter series, this has to be the most involved, well-written, and intricate of magical plots. Just looking at how big it was, I was very intimidated at first. Like a lot of other British writers, Clark starts her story out fairly slowly, but not without necessary buildup. The reason for the length is not because of fluff and, in all honesty, this novel could easily be split into a three-part series.
However, all of its character arcs, magical arcs, story arcs, and just all-around awesomeness are somehow contained in one giant book full of one giant story. It will scare you, delight you, crush you, and make you wish that it went on for another 700 pages. ( )

Book on CD performed by Simon Prebble
3.5****

From the book jacket: 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.

My Reactions
Fantasy is really not my thing, but I did enjoy this book. I liked the play / counter play between the two magicians, and particularly enjoyed the scenes where they are influencing the Napoleonic Wars ... an armada of ghost ships made of rain! Or moving an entire city to the United States! I also really liked the subplot involving Stephen.

I thought Clarke did a fine job of creating this magical world, peopled with a host of interesting characters. Her writing is very atmospheric and I could almost hear the eerie strains of music at a ball, or the caw of ravens.

That being said, however, this was just way too long. I found my mind wandering as much as the plot did. And by hour 29 (out of 36 hours of audio) I was ready for it to culminate.

I certainly understand the popularity of the novel, but as I said at the beginning, it's really not my thing, and I wouldn't go out of my way to read another novel by Clarke.

I listened to the audio ... I think I would listen to Simon Prebble read his grocery list! He does a marvelous job. 5***** for his performance. ( )