Loved it. Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is shortlisted for the Whitbread, and it's a well-deserved honor.
The story starts in 1806, England is at war with Napoleon, and magic hasn't been practiced for hundreds of years. When the Raven King disappeared from England, magic seemed to just—fade away. There are still magicians:
They were gentleman-magicians, which is to say they had never harmed any one by magic—nor done any one the slightest good. In fact, to own the truth, not one of these magicians had ever cast the smallest spell, nor by magic caused one leaf to tremble upon a tree, made one mote of dust to alter its course or changed a single hair upon any one's head. But, with this one minor reservation, they enjoyed a reputation as some of the wisest and most magical gentlemen in Yorkshire.
Before the first chapter is finished, however, it is revealed that there is indeed one practical magician in England—Mr. Norrell.
And the story goes from there. A character is raised from death, magic is used to aid Lord Wellington in the war, we get to meet mad King George, the fairy-folk are as they should be—heartless, self-absorbed and cruel, and yes, the Raven King does make an appearance.
For a book that I enjoyed so much, I think it's a little odd that I never got attached to the characters (with the exception of John Childermass and Stephen Black). But I don't think that's a problem with the writing or the book—I think it was deliberate. It reads like a history book, but an incredibly engrossing and interesting one.
And a bit of advice: If you do decide to read it, make sure to set aside enough time to read the third part all at once. Otherwise you'll be late for something.
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