Anyone who loves Harry Potter and Jane Austen alike will not only enjoy this novel, they will LOVE it. Susannah Clarke has created a magical world firmly rooted in actual history.
The novel takes place in England, 1806. The magic that was once prevalent throughout the country has dwindled to nothing, and it is generally accepted that whatever had existed of magic is now lost. The only magicians left are "theoretical magicians" - those who study magic, but do not perform it.
Enter Mr. Norrell, a reclusive, awkward, and arrogant magician, who can perform practical magic. Mr. Norrell becomes the toast of London society - until Jonathan Strange, a young, rebellious, hot-headed magician shows up. Mr. Norrell is frightened by what Strange represents, but in the end, only Jonathan Strange can show Mr. Norrell the true nature of magic...and vice versa.
Despite the length of the book, it is a page-turner. 700 pages in a week is, I think, testimony to just how engaging it is. Most impressive, however, is the amazing depth of detail that Clarke has included to the magical world of Regency England. To say that she has rewritten history would not be an exaggeration. The book comes complete with footnotes regarding the history of magic in England - anecdotes, references, and clarifications. By the time you reach the second part of the book, you will be accepting John Uskglass as a real person, and recognizing the names and events which Clarke refers to. There is no unnecessary detail or description - spells just happen, and it is up to the reader to accept that what is occurring is as commonplace as a sneeze. If the reader is willing to do so, the effect of transportation to a parallel universe is breathtaking.
Add to all these facts Clarke's impeccable writing style - a wittier, more sarcastic Jane Austen - and you have a recipe for success. I freely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history and fantasy, and never thought they'd find a book that successfully combined both without sacrificing one or the other.
