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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
A Novel
by Susanna Clarke


8.6

based on 25 reviews
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based on 31 votes
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The Ladies Of Grace Adieu And Other Stories

English author Susanna Clarke's massive (and carefully footnoted) debut novel, being promoted as a sort of literary Harry Potter for adults, tells the story of rival magicians in early 19th century England. It was written over the course of ten years, although judging from its success, Clarke's next book should come a lot sooner.

Bloomsbury, 782 pages
09/08/2004
$27.95

ISBN: 1582344167

Fiction
General Literature & Fiction
Historical Fiction
Science Fiction & Fantasy

All reviews are classified as one of five grades: Outstanding (4 points), Favorable (3), Mixed (2), Unfavorable (1) and Terrible (0). To calculate the Metascore, we divide total points achieved by the total points possible (i.e., 4 x the number of reviews), with the resulting percentage (multiplied by 100) being the Metascore. Learn more...

Booklist Brad Hooper

An exceptionally compelling, brilliantly creative, and historically fine-tuned piece of work. [Jul 2004, p.1797]

Christian Science Monitor Ron Charles

A thoroughly enchanting story... told with a dry wit that will appeal to fans of Jane Austen.

Houston Chronicle John Freeman

It's not where this book goes but how cleverly it gets there that makes it such a joy to read.

Kirkus Reviews

An instant classic, one of the finest fantasies ever written. [1 Jul 2004, p.590]

Library Journal Cynthia Johnson

This tour de force is sure to appeal to fans of Charles Palliser and Diana Gabaldon and anyone who appreciates a distinctive voice. [Aug 2004, p.64]

Publishers Weekly

May seem a bit stiff and mannered at first, but immersion in the mesmerizing story reveals its intimacy, humor and insight, and will enchant readers of fantasy and literary fiction alike. [12 Jul 2004, p.41]

Salon Laura Miller

Although "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" is about magic... it is also about a certain literary voice, the eminently civilized voice of early 19th century social comedy. That voice reached its pinnacle in Jane Austen and, for all its reason, its common sense and skeptical wit, it works its own brand of sorcery. It seems impossible to combine two such contradictory literary delights, but Clarke does it with ease.

Slate Polly Shulman

It's the real thing: original, mesmerizing, with uncompromising literary integrity.

Daily Telegraph Helen Brown

Clarke makes her magical story ridiculously engrossing.

The New Republic Sacha Zimmerman

She has accomplished something extraordinary: historical revisionism at its most imaginative.

The Onion A.V. Club Tasha Robinson

A terrific, phenomenally ambitious book.

The New York Times Book Review Gregory Maguire

Clarke's imagination is prodigious, her pacing is masterly and she knows how to employ dry humor in the service of majesty.

The Independent Charles Shaar Murray

If the book ends up as engaging rather than riveting, cosy rather rather than visceral, that represents a distinguishing mark of its sub-genre as opposed to a flaw in the author's craftsmanship.

USA Today Edward Nawotka

It takes 100 pages for Clarke to establish her milieu, but most readers, once enchanted, will remain under her spell until the very last page.

Village Voice Grady Hendrix

The book's major defect is that the narrative drive jostles disconcertingly with the novel's sherry-dry, Jane Austen tone.... But an entertaining story is so rare that anything short of a major crime is forgivable.

Washington Post Michael Dirda

Though I admire Susanna Clarke's imaginative dexterity and deeply enjoyed Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, I didn't find it quite as spellbinding as expected.

The Economist

The plot grows foggier as the action leaves London and moves northwards; where once the writing shone with humour and wit, it too begins to lose its shine.

The Globe And Mail [Toronto] Kenneth Oppel

Reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a bit like admiring a beautiful neoclassical building, but beyond the façade there is a certain emptiness to its grandeur. [18 Sep 2004, p.D10]

San Francisco Chronicle Michael Berry

She displays great verbal dexterity and a firm command of narrative technique. Nevertheless, there's an awful lot of wind-up before the plot of "Jonathan Strange" actually drops into gear.

Daily Telegraph Matthew Alexander

An elegant and witty historical fantasy.

Chicago Sun-Times Kevin Canfield

It transcends its roots and stands as a work of compelling literary fiction.

The Guardian Michel Faber

Overall this large, loquacious book has nothing much to say, the plot creaks frightfully in many places and the pace dawdles.

The New York Times Janet Maslin

This novel can be as fussy and poky as it is clever.

Entertainment Weekly Jennifer Reese

Sadly, there's no likable Harry Potter or Frodo to coax us through these prolonged dramatic detours; Clarke keeps her central characters -- and thereby her readers -- at a cool arm's length.

The New Yorker

Her attempt to graft a fantasy narrative onto such historical realities as the Battle of Waterloo is more often awkward than clever, and the period dialogue is simply twee.

The average user rating for this book is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 31 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Carreen W gave it a9:
A lovely book, I highly recomend it.

Roger K gave it a5:
An interesting concept that disappoints the reader with lengthy, extraneous footnotes and incidents that only mildly entertain. At over 800 pages, it's way too long for the mediocre ending. Still, Clarke's craftsmanship may make it worthwhile for those who appreciate a higher standard of prose than usually seen today.

Mark E gave it a6:
What seems like an interesting idea for me fades badly in the middle section before reviving at the end.

Terry C gave it a1:
This book was one of those long drawn out, "Maybe it will get good in the next chapter" books, which sadly never gets lives up to this expectation.

Aldrin C. gave it a10:
A prime example of literary magic.

John W gave it a10:
Thoroughly enjoyed.

Marja K gave it a2:
Book is so boring that you can't never imagine.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell A Novel by Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
A Novel
by Susanna Clarke