Cover of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
Historical FantasyFae & Fairy FictionHistorical Fiction

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

by

  • 2001 first published
  • 864 pages
  • ★ 3.8 (8 ratings)
  • 51 editions
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Published in 2001, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is a historical fantasy and fae fiction novel by Susanna Clarke. Much of the action takes place in London, England and York, England. It deals with England, fairies, Hugo Award Winner and magicians.

Open Library readers give it an average of 3.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, and 126 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 51 editions across 4 languages.

At about 864 pages, most readers finish it in 15–16 hours.

About Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Published in 2004, it is an alternative history set in 19th-century England around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Its premise is that magic once existed in England and has returned with two men: Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange. Centred on the relationship between these two men, the novel investigates the nature of "Englishness" and the boundaries between reason and unreason, Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Dane, and Northern and Southern English cultural tropes/stereotypes. It has been described as a fantasy novel, an alternative history, and a historical novel. It inverts the Industrial Revolution conception of the North-South divide in England: in this book the North is romantic and magical, rather than rational and concrete.
Description from Open Library

Awards & lists

Themes, setting & tropes

Genres

Setting

Subjects

  • England
  • Historical
  • Fantasy fiction
  • Fairies
  • Hugo Award Winner
  • Fantasy
  • Magicians
  • Teacher-student relationships
  • Historical fiction
  • Teacher-student relationship
  • Magic
  • London, England
  • Historical fantasy
  • Teachers
  • Great britain

Publisher

Quick answers

Who wrote Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell?

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell was written by Susanna Clarke and first published in 2001.

What genre is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell?

It is usually shelved as Historical Fantasy, Fae & Fairy Fiction, Historical Fiction and Magicians & Illusionists.

How long is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell?

The median edition has 864 pages, about 15–16 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.

What books are similar to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell?

Readers who like it often enjoy Circe, Stardust and The Prestige.

More by Susanna Clarke

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