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A book recommendation
Sep. 18th, 2004 02:44 amMy friend Kenny cut out a book review for me the other day. Said I would find this book of particular interest after reading the review himself.
The book is called Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell.
I read the review and thought, hmm, this does look interesting. In fact, 'several' reviews named this the book to read in the interim if waiting for the next Harry Potter book.
Well -- that sealed the deal. I borrowed the book from my friend Jan and started today. I'm on page fifty (there are 782 pages).
Wow -- what a story. I'm captivated already.
The book is by Susanna Clark. This is her first novel. Says she was an editor with Simon and Schuster. The book is very English right down to the spellings and tone. There are detailed footnotes and everything. Susanna did her homework.
Basically the book is about the practition of English magic and its disappearance from their society. The year in which the book starts is 1807. There is an organization that the theoretical magicians belong to called the Learned Society of York Magicians. Total snobby social club. I could so see Lucius Malfoy being a member. They study magic but do not practice it. That is, until this practice is questioned.
Enter Mr. Norell -- York's only practitioning magician. He is asked to give a demonstration to the doubting society -- but on one condition; if he can prove his magical prowess, the Society must be disbanded and the scholars must give up studying magic forever.
I am particularly fond of Childermass -- Norell's manservant.
He is described as being pale, having queer black eyes, and greasy hair. Sound like anyone we know? LOL!
I won't spoil any more. Trust me when I say -- this is worth picking up.
--P
The book is called Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell.
I read the review and thought, hmm, this does look interesting. In fact, 'several' reviews named this the book to read in the interim if waiting for the next Harry Potter book.
Well -- that sealed the deal. I borrowed the book from my friend Jan and started today. I'm on page fifty (there are 782 pages).
Wow -- what a story. I'm captivated already.
The book is by Susanna Clark. This is her first novel. Says she was an editor with Simon and Schuster. The book is very English right down to the spellings and tone. There are detailed footnotes and everything. Susanna did her homework.
Basically the book is about the practition of English magic and its disappearance from their society. The year in which the book starts is 1807. There is an organization that the theoretical magicians belong to called the Learned Society of York Magicians. Total snobby social club. I could so see Lucius Malfoy being a member. They study magic but do not practice it. That is, until this practice is questioned.
Enter Mr. Norell -- York's only practitioning magician. He is asked to give a demonstration to the doubting society -- but on one condition; if he can prove his magical prowess, the Society must be disbanded and the scholars must give up studying magic forever.
I am particularly fond of Childermass -- Norell's manservant.
He is described as being pale, having queer black eyes, and greasy hair. Sound like anyone we know? LOL!
I won't spoil any more. Trust me when I say -- this is worth picking up.
--P
