Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke
Kaitlyn Cochran
Kaitlyn Cochran is a poetry and nonfiction writer. She earned her undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in mass communications with a concentration in creative advertising and a minor in creative writing. Kaitlyn currently has three poems published between Quirk and samfiftyfour.
The Date
Book Description
In the midst of the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, most people believe magic to have long since disappeared from England - until the reclusive Mr. Norrell reveals his powers and becomes an overnight celebrity.
Another practicing magician then emerges: the young and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's pupil, and the two join forces in the war against France.
But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wild, most perilous forms of magic, and he soon risks sacrificing his partnership with Norrell and everything else he holds dear.
Susanna Clarke's brilliant first novel is an utterly compelling epic tale of nineteenth-century England and the two magicians who, first as teacher and pupil and then as rivals, emerge to change its history.
About the Date
What was the first impression of this date?
Q1
You are instantly hit with a mixture of magic and history in a Jane Austen-esque way. In this world, magic and history exist very intimately together while also taking on a more scathing review into English society and its class system at the time.
What does the date look like? A look at the cover...
Q2
This date would be very well dressed. Something like a crisp suite or a sharp black dress.
What's the date's personality like?
Q3
This is the kind of date that gets a little lost in their point and begins to ramble because they’re nervous. With so many characters and histories to explore throughout the story, the book sometimes gets lost in itself. There is a point to everything you’re being told, but it takes a little bit to weave it all together.
What was the most memorable part of the date?
Q4
The relationship growth between two of the main characters. Though they start out as more fearful and resentful toward each other, there is good development that is able to overcome initial interactions and strong-willed personalities.
Red flags?
Q5
Length of the book. Though the form of the book (almost acting like a textbook), calls for more length and footnotes, this may dissuade some readers from being able to start the book when they see how long it really is.
What did you connect with most on the date? A look at theme...
Q6
Friendship. This story focuses a lot on friendship throughout, and it does a good job of building and developing relationships. This makes it easier to connect with especially because something purely historical can sometimes be a little dry.
What did you like about this date the most?
Q7
The book does a good job of exploring different worlds and how they all connect with England and magic. It really does make it seem as if our world could be operating parallel to something much more mystical.
Would you go on a second date?
Q8
I would go on another date with this book as long as I had the time to commit to it. This novel takes a lot of time and focus to read, and if you don’t have those things readily available, I would suggest waiting. You won’t get to enjoy the book to the fullest extent otherwise.
