Question 1

What is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell about?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is an alternative history novel set in 19th-century England during the Napoleonic Wars, where magic has returned after centuries of absence. The story centers on two magicians—the reclusive, pedantic Gilbert Norrell and the young, daring Jonathan Strange—who work together to bring magic back to England and aid the war effort, but eventually clash over their differing philosophies about magic. The novel also features a dark subplot involving a fairy who enchants Lady Pole and Stephen Black, forcing them to attend nightly balls in his kingdom.

Question 2

Who is Susanna Clarke, author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?

Accepted Answer

Susanna Clarke is an English author born in Nottingham in 1959, best known for her debut novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which won the 2005 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Clarke studied philosophy, politics, and economics at St Hilda's College, Oxford, and worked in publishing before spending a decade writing her debut novel. She later published the short story collection The Ladies of Grace Adieu and her second novel Piranesi, which won the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction.

Question 3

Who should read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is ideal for readers who enjoy historical fantasy, alternative history, and literary fiction with intricate world-building. Fans of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Gothic literature will appreciate Clarke's pastiche of 19th-century writing styles, complete with footnotes creating an entire fictional magical scholarship. The novel suits patient readers willing to invest in an 850-page slow-burn narrative that rewards persistence with creative storytelling and rich character development.

Question 4

Is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell worth reading?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is worth reading for its ambitious scope, meticulous world-building, and masterful pastiche of 19th-century literary styles. The novel reached number three on the New York Times Best Seller list, was longlisted for the 2004 Man Booker Prize, and won the Hugo Award, demonstrating widespread critical acclaim. However, readers should be prepared for a slow start—the pacing picks up around 15% through—and the book's length and deliberate, period-appropriate style may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action.

Question 5

What are the main themes in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell explores the nature of "Englishness" and the boundaries between reason and unreason, examining cultural differences between Northern and Southern England. The novel inverts traditional Industrial Revolution stereotypes by portraying the North as romantic and magical rather than rational and concrete. Clarke also investigates the tension between theoretical knowledge and practical application through the contrasting philosophies of Norrell, who wants to control and restrict magic, and Strange, who embraces wilder, more perilous forms of magical practice.

Question 6

How does the relationship between Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell develop?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell begin as teacher and pupil, with Norrell making Strange the only exception to his rule about being the sole practicing magician in England. They initially work together to aid England's war efforts against France, but grow apart as their differing views on magic become irreconcilable. Strange's experience on the front lines and his attraction to wild, dangerous magic conflicts with Norrell's pedantic, restrictive approach, ultimately leading to a battle over the proper use of magic.

Question 7

What is the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair's role in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?

Accepted Answer

The Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair is a fairy villain who makes a bargain with Mr Norrell to resurrect a politician's wife, Lady Pole, in exchange for half her life. Instead of taking her in her 40s as Norrell expected, the fairy enchants her to attend nightly balls in his Faerie kingdom of Lost-Hope, leaving her exhausted and unable to speak about her captivity. He also enchants Stephen Black, a Black butler whom he believes should be a king, thinking he's doing them favors while actually making them miserable.

Question 8

What is unique about the writing style of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is written in a detailed pastiche of 19th-century authors like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, authentically capturing the language and pacing of that era. Clarke supplements the 850-page narrative with almost 200 footnotes that outline backstory and create an entire fictional corpus of magical scholarship, demonstrating extraordinary attention to detail. The novel draws on various Romantic literary traditions including the comedy of manners, Gothic tales, and the Byronic hero, while describing supernatural elements with careful precision.

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Points clés

A Gentleman's Agreement with Darkness

Two Magicians: A Study in Contrasts

The Fairy's Dance: Enchantment as Colonization

The Raven King's Shadow: Magic's Wild Heart

The Price of Wonder: Personal Costs of Magic

A New Magical England: Democratization of Wonder

The Mirror and the Labyrinth: Reflections on Power

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke Summary

Overview of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

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Dans le même genre

Points clés

A Gentleman's Agreement with Darkness

Two Magicians: A Study in Contrasts

The Fairy's Dance: Enchantment as Colonization

The Raven King's Shadow: Magic's Wild Heart

The Price of Wonder: Personal Costs of Magic

A New Magical England: Democratization of Wonder

The Mirror and the Labyrinth: Reflections on Power

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