Cricket Readers Recommend

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

by Susanna Clarke

I do not think that I could give a comprehensive summary of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, or at least not in the alloted amount of words. It is set in an alternate 19th-century England, where magic was once the commonest thing in the world and is now all but vanished–-for a while. It is about dark, twisted woods, enchanted gold, prophecies and ancient magic, ravens and blue men, fairies, and madness. It takes you through England's empty moors, Spain and Portugal, the alleys and canals of Venice, and the cold echoing halls of fairy mansions. It is a book that everyone should read at least once.

5
Average: 5 (3 votes)
submitted by Alice W., age 14
(July 12, 2008 - 2:08 pm)
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This sounds really good!

submitted by Willa C., age 12 4/4, Nehalem, OR
(July 14, 2008 - 12:41 pm)

Believe me, it is. Actually it's my favorite book in the world.

By the way, you wouldn't happen to know Emmatheduck, would you?

submitted by Alice W., age 14, Muse Academy, I
(July 15, 2008 - 4:42 pm)

Hey Alice (Beatlesrockr here!). My mom has the book from before and your description sounds really good, so I guess I'll pick it up and open it...

submitted by Archana U., Illinois
(July 15, 2008 - 8:12 pm)

I thought it was you! Actually, I knew. How many people are there named Archana U.?

submitted by Alice W., age 14, Muse Academy, I
(July 18, 2008 - 2:45 pm)

I don't know, I'd say two, or just one?

submitted by Archana U., Illinois
(July 21, 2008 - 12:42 pm)

I am so glad other people are giving this book good reviews- it more than deserves them!

Clarke has that gift of being able to be funny without cracking a direct joke in the story.

This book is deep beautiful, enthralling, intriguing and original.

It is 800 pages long, with footnotes that are their own seperate stories, but the Magic of Clarke makes it seem far, far shorter.

This novel, like the Lord of the Rings, has left its mark upon the World of Fantasy- a world that shall never be the same hereafter.

After Middle-Earth, this is my favorite story.

I don't think you'll fully appreciate this book until you are at least 12 years old, but, then, I don't know you.  If you begin reading it and it bores you, I'd put it away and try it again in a year or two.

Anyhow, enjoy this marvel of modern-yet-not-so-modern-fantasy=

JONATHAN STRANGE and MR. NORREL!  :)

P.S: If you like Strange and Norrel, try out "The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories," Also by Susanna Clarke. So good! :) 

 

 

submitted by Esthelle (Es-thel-ay, age Anonymous, The New World
(February 8, 2016 - 9:49 pm)