Hugo Award Best Novel Winner
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke
Summary
Susanna Clarke's debut novel reimagines an alternate nineteenth century England where magic was once real and two rival magicians, the reclusive Mr Norrell and the daring Jonathan Strange, work to revive the practice during the Napoleonic Wars. Written with a dry, witty voice and extensive faux scholarly footnotes, the book conjures a richly detailed history of English magic and the dangerous figure known as the Raven King. Its blend of fantasy and historical fiction earned wide literary acclaim.
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Historical Context & Significance
This was Susanna Clarke's first novel, took roughly ten years to write, and was adapted into a BBC television miniseries in 2015.