72 pages • 2 hours read
Susanna ClarkeJonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, two magicians in 19th-century England, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, clash over the rightful use of magic. Their conflict, set against the backdrop of a world where magic is real but fading, leads to dramatic and unintended consequences. Clarke's novel blends historical fiction with magical realism, drawing inspiration from 19th-century English literature. The book contains ableist language and narrative elements that may be denigrating towards people of color.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke offers an immersive journey into an alternate 19th-century England where magic is real. Praised for its rich prose and intricate plotting, some readers find the pacing slow and the length daunting. Overall, it’s celebrated for its originality and depth, appealing to fantasy aficionados but might challenge those seeking a brisk read.
Who Should Read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?
A reader who enjoys Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke likely appreciates richly detailed worlds, historical settings, and complex characters. Fans of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling or The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern will relish Clarke's blend of magic and manners set against a backdrop of 19th-century England.