Have you ever wondered what the Napoleonic Wars would have been like if England had used magic? Of course; who hasn’t? Susanna Clarke’s epic Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell gives a glimpse of this alternative history and it turns out that using magic is like any other technology introduced into war—it is neither simple nor safe and there are likely to be unintended consequences.
This book, published in 2004, is more than an alternative history and fantasy. It is a personality study about the attraction and inevitable conflict between England’s two greatest—and only—magicians in the early 19th century. This finely detailed book contains more than a little English politics and social history; King George III, Gen. Wellington and Lord Byron all make appearances. But don’t worry; Clarke is a witty writer who presents all of this as a comedy of manners. You hardly notice you’re learning anything while you read it. Although this is not a funny story, Clarke’s humor is evident throughout.
For those interested in the history of English magic, there are some 200 footnotes on some of England’s greatest magicians and notable authors on the subject.
With her combination of magic and politics it is tempting to compare Clarke to J.K. Rowling. But resist the temptation. Hurtfew Abbey is not Hogwarts. And Clarke’s fairies are not the fairies at the bottom of the garden. Best to avoid them if you can.
Friends of English Magic
It seems that magic once was commonplace in England, in the days of John Uskglass, the Raven King, who ruled Northern England for 300 years. But by 1806 magic has been missing from England for 200 years or more. Magicians still study magic, but they can’t perform it. It’s like musicians studying Mozart without knowing how to play the piano or violin.
Then Mr. Norrell decides it’s time to reintroduce practical magic to England. He moves from York, the Raven King’s old stomping grounds, to London to offer his services to the government in its long-running war against Napoleon. Fashionable London is unimpressed until the incident of the dead woman, a fairy and a finger. Commissions for spells finally start to come in, but acceptance comes slowly. Magic is not really a gentleman’s profession, is it?
Norrell is very protective of his turf, but as the only practicing magician in England he is lonely for someone to talk shop with. Enter Jonathan Strange, who becomes Norrell’s student but who holds decidedly different views on the nature of magic.
The resulting power struggle between the two magicians takes place in the shadow of an adversary more dangerous than Napoleon, and whom neither Norrell nor Strange realizes is opposing them. This villain is no Voldemort. He is altogether too petty and self-obsessed for that kind of ambition. But that does not lessen his wickedness.
Best of enemies
Clarke does a wonderful job copying the style of early 19th century writers without being intrusive. Her portraits of Strange and Norrell are affectionate and realistic. There is more than a touch of pettiness and self-obsession in each. You’ll probably like one more than the other, but—like real people—neither is completely good or bad. In the end they complement each other.
There is plenty of unfinished business at the end of the book: Between Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell; with Childermass, Norrell’s man of business who is more than a servant; with Vinculus, the street sorcerer who is more than a huckster; and with Stephen Black, the ex-slave who is more than a butler. There were reports soon after the publication of Strange & Norrell that Clarke was working on a sequel. This apparently has been interrupted by ill health, which is a shame not just for Clarke personally, but for all of her readers who would like to spend more time in her magical England.
But don’t let that stop you from reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It is a great read and still in print in a variety of editions, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one at your local library or bookstore. Have a great visit to Olde England—merry or otherwise.