Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrel - Susanna Clarke

Although it is a fantasy novel - a story of magic, fairies, and other unearthly themes - this book demands respect. There is an undeniable sophistication in Clarke's craft, and her language is tinged with a dry wit. Ironically, what separates her novel from just being a frivolous book about magic is precisely her treatment of magic - it is not a Disney-like, colorful phenomenon, but a suspect, gray, dangerous, uncontrollable force. Its effects are not compatible with our normal sense of reality; things shift, corrode and change imperceptibly, suddenly, compromising the reason and sanity of her characters, as well as the stability of the physical realm - in fact, the world may be better off with out it. The magic she describes could just as easily be nuclear physics. Complete with extensive footnotes that take off into intriguing side stories, the story never ceases to entertain, even as it approaches the 1,000th page.

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING
4 out of 5

Buy this book: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell