This book was a great fantasy/historical novel. It is set in England during when Napolean was trying to take over. In this story, a fussy old man, Mr. Norrel, becomes the first practicing magician in England in hundreds of years. Everybody loves him, and he does many magical feats. But he is socially inept and is soon controlled by 2 other rich, lazy London men. Then a new magician, Jonathan Strange becomes Mr. Norrels apprentice and they work together. However, they are very different. Jonathan Strange believes they should try new, powerful ways of magic while fussy Mr. Norrel does not want to. They also differ on the subject of the Raven King, the ancient founder of magic in Englad. There is also a interesting sidestory that ties into the book about a fairy, a servant, and Lost-Hope. It is a great book, a must read.

posted Oct 30, 2006 at 8:16PM

This book was a great fantasy/historical novel. It is set in England during when Napolean was trying to take over. In this story, a fussy old man, Mr. Norrel, becomes the first practicing magician in England in hundreds of years. Everybody loves him, and he does many magical feats. But he is socially inept and is soon controlled by 2 other rich, lazy London men. Then a new magician, Jonathan Strange becomes Mr. Norrels apprentice and they work together. However, they are very different. Jonathan Strange believes they should try new, powerful ways of magic while fussy Mr. Norrel does not want to. They also differ on the subject of the Raven King, the ancient founder of magic in Englad. There is also a interesting sidestory that ties into the book about a fairy, a servant, and Lost-Hope. It is a great book, a must read.

posted Oct 30, 2006 at 8:16PM

I’ve been going to read this book for several years and when I saw it this winter on some Best Books of the Decade lists and that Complete Review gave it an A- I finally read it. It’s a big, thick book with many footnotes even though it’s fiction. Amazing first book for this author. Reads really well with lots of homage to other writers and great books. And, I’m not even much of a fan of fantasy. I just like reading that takes place during this Regency time in England.

posted Mar 23, 2010 at 6:23PM

Won the 2005 Hugo Award.

posted Jul 25, 2011 at 3:26PM

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