Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke REVIEW

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Started: 08/04/18

Finished: 11/05/18

Spoilers: No.

So this was a task and a half. I try and finish a book a week and this took about six, but I regret nothing. This book was amazing, truly a masterpiece of fantasy literature. The only reason I'm holding back on that fifth star is the sheer amount of footnotes, but more on that later, right now, I want to gush, and I seriously need a sequel, like yesterday!

Characters My favourite character by far was Strange. He didn't appear until about 250 pages in and the story was severely needing him by that point. Not because the story was bad, but because I wasn't liking any other character. Mr Norrell was a boring bastard and every bit as selfish and pernicious as he claimed fairies to be.

It was only when Strange arrived that Norrell's character grew decidedly more likeable. He came out of his little hermit shell, became more confident and agreeable to all in general. His admiration for Strange's skill was one of the redeeming qualities of Norrell. He wasn't jealous but excited about the possibilities of the two working together.

As the story went on he did become a total dick again and I think I actually hated him at one point, but those final few chapters redeemed him once more. Being around Strange appears to make Norrell a better person. I really think he needs Strange in his life, and in a tragic kind of way, Strange also needs Norrell. They complete each other; opposites, but two halves of a whole. A partnership I'm dying to see more of.

Jonathan Strange himself was a breath of fresh air and his lovely, supportive wife was delightful. I found myself wanted more of the pair and obsessing over the state of their marriage. Up until the arrival of Mr and Mrs Strange, the story sported only stuffy, judgemental, old gentlemen and capricious ladies.

Strange was young, energetic, eager to learn and didn't seem to harbour any resentment for anyone. He was ambitious and perhaps this was ultimately his undoing. His ambition turned to arrogance and he lost sight of what truly mattered to him. He realised it eventually, a hard lesson learnt, and he abandoned his arrogance and instead turned his focus to restoring something infinitely more valuable to him than English Magic. His progression and development throughout the story was really quite touching and beautiful to read. There was nothing he would not do for what he loved most, and this only made me love Strange more.

Plot An idea I've never read before, but I've come to realise that I really love books about magicians. Before the story even truly begins, a history of past magic in England - and magic lost - is explored, presenting to us the fact that the story is already bigger and broader than the characters themselves.

English magic has been gone from England for centuries until two magicians announce themselves to society. First Mr Norrell makes his debut in London as the only and greatest magician of his time. Then Mr Strange appears on the scene, young and fresh and full of ideas and naturally Norrell feels threatened, seeing him as a rival rather than a partner. But as they work and develop their skills together, a sort of understanding and respect (if not friendship) grows between them.

Together they tackle many issues at home and abroad, completing commissions from the government. Strange travels to Spain to fight in the war and Norrell stays home and safeguards England from attacks. Yet there is a threat to them and their profession far closer to home than they realise.

This is a really remarkable story and I've never read anything like this (or this big!) before. It was so original and I think this is one of those books that will remain with me for a very long time. It held such whimsy and intrigue, questionable characters and questionable morals, the struggle between want and need. It was pretty much everything I needed it to be.

Setting I found the time period a fascinating one. I've not read any books set during the Napoleonic wars and I loved the added fantasy element of gentleman magicians. History, magic, politics, just my cup of tea. I loved the chapters depicting Strange working alongside the Duke of Wellington against Napoleon and how he used his magic to help in the war against France.

I also loved how society in early 1800's London was shown. Norrell and Strange were viewed quite as celebrities, and I particularly enjoyed Strange's visit to King George III. I loved the way his madness was in part blamed on enchantment, fairy influence. I thought that was very cleverly done.

I found the Raven King a fascinating concept and would love to see more of him. It was interesting how the north and south of England were so divided on their opinions of him. John Uskglass, the Raven King, the Northern King who had been missing for generations. He is the true king of the north with the southern king, George III (or rather the prince regent) merely a steward, looking after the kingdom until his return.

There is such a rich history here within these pages, so much explained, so much hinted at, and so much more yet to be explored. One really gets the sense that the story is much vaster than what is written within this book. It really is an entire history. This world that Susanna Clarke has expertly created is far bigger than the characters she's placed within it, and the possibilities are endless.

Writing Style I really liked the writing style and didn't find it cumbersome at any point. I did, in the beginning, get a little confused with the old-fashioned spelling of words, but once I realised this, it only added to the tone and aesthetic of the book. Because of this unique style, it gives it an almost timeless feel.

It read like a history book of sorts, or perhaps more like a biography of the life of the two magicians, rather than a book depicting events as they happen. I enjoyed the style, but there was the odd occasion that I felt detached from the characters and that I couldn't get closer to them even if I tried. But maybe that's just me.

I'm not a fan of footnotes at the best of times in nonfiction books; less so in fiction books, and some of these footnotes were over four pages long. I mean, if you have that much excess information to share, then find a clever way to write it into the narrative, otherwise we're just reading history-book-style info-dumps; and if this information isn't crucial to the story, then why bother at all?

I understand it's an intricate world with a vast history and she wants us to understand it all, but I'm sure it can be explained in a more interesting manner than overlong footnotes. The short ones explaining a certain historical topic or person were useful, and the French translation ones were vital, but I admit the one about Margaret Ford I skipped after two pages. Certain footnotes, however, were obviously necessary. For instance, when Childermass recites a list of spells to Norrell and each spell has a footnotes explaining what it does. This makes sense, because why would Childermass need to explain spells to Norrell? And if he had, it would be an obviously contrived piece of dialogue intended purely for the reader and not the characters, so I absolutely accept that some of the footnotes were well used.

Final Impression A refreshing idea. I'd really love to see the BBC adaptation of this, but more than that, I'd love to see a direct sequel, depicting what happened to Strange and Norrell after the events of this book. It's a rather open end and a continuation of this journey would be absolutely fucking glorious.