A review by shadestate
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

It's been over ten years since I last read this book. I'm so glad I reread it with a greater understanding of the time its alternate history is set in, both from a geopolitical and occultism POV. I loved this book as a witchy angsty teen, and I'm going to say: it holds up! Jonathan Strange as the Magician, the sorcerer, and Mr Norrell as the Hermit, the wizard. And the language of magic written by dark trees reaching out into the icy sky. Magic wild, uncontained.