Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellJonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Score Modern
What it's about
In early-1800s England, magic has long since disappeared, studied only by scholarly gentlemen who can't do any. Then the fussy, reclusive Mr. Norrell reveals that he can, and becomes famous, helping the war against Napoleon. He takes on a pupil, the dashing Jonathan Strange, but the two clash over what magic should be, while a sinister fairy gentleman takes an interest in them.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo Award and was longlisted for the Booker. It's written like a 19th-century novel, witty and wonderfully strange, and it became a BBC series.
You'll love it if you liked
Babel
The Golem and the Jinni
Pride and PrejudiceGood to know
It's nearly 800 pages, with many footnotes telling side stories. The first part is slow but the magic builds.
By the numbers
- Readers22 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics72 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller37 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #85 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #212 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #803 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1498 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic
More by Susanna Clarke
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Quick answers
Is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo Award and was longlisted for the Booker. It ranks #1,498 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell about?
In early-1800s England, magic has long since disappeared, studied only by scholarly gentlemen who can't do any. Then the fussy, reclusive Mr. Norrell reveals that he can, and becomes famous, helping the war against Napoleon. He takes on a pupil, the dashing Jonathan Strange, but the two clash over what magic should be, while a sinister fairy gentleman takes an interest in them.
How long does it take to read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?
About 25 hours (1006 pages), or about 7 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell won?
Hugo Award winner (2005).
What should I read after Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?
If you liked it, try Babel by R. F. Kuang, The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker or Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.