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.

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.

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.

Susanna Clarke

Adult

Novel

Strange & Norrell

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

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Before You Read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell | SuperSummary

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Overview

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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Summary and Study Guide

Background

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Volume 1: “Mr Norrell”

Volume 1, Chapters 1-12

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Volume 1, Chapters 1-12 Summary & Analysis

Volume 1, Chapters 13-22

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Volume 1, Chapters 13-22 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2: “Jonathan Strange”

Volume 2, Chapters 23-31

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Volume 2, Chapters 23-31 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2, Chapters 32-44

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Volume 2, Chapters 32-44 Summary & Analysis

Volume 3: “John Uskglass”

Volume 3, Chapters 45-55

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Volume 3, Chapters 45-55 Summary & Analysis

Volume 3, Chapters 56-69

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Volume 3, Chapters 56-69 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Character Analysis

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Themes

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Essay Topics

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?

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Book Details