Magical Reading

 

After a short silence, Strange said, "You advise me to read this book?"

"Yes, indeed. I think you should read it," said Mr. Norrell. 

Strange waited, but Norrell continued to gaze at the book in his hand as though he were entirely at a loss as to how to proceed. 

"Then you must give it to me, sir," said Strange gently.

"Yes, indeed," said Mr. Norrell. He approached Strange cautiously and held the book out for several moments, before suddenly tipping it up and off into Strange's hand with an odd gesture, as though it was not a book at all, but a small bird which clung to him and would on no account go to any one else, so that he was obliged to trick it into leaving his hand. He was so intent upon this maneuvre that fortunately he did not look up at Strange who was trying not to laugh.

Mr. Norrell remained a moment, looking wistfully at his book in another magician's hand.

(Page 301)

A humorous scene that pretty well sums up these two magicians and how different they are. Mr. Norrell, older, cautious, guarded, protective of his thousands of books, reluctant to try anything out of the ordinary. Jonathan Strange, young, vibrant, daring, willing to try anything no matter the risk, open to the ideas and wildness of the unknown. 

So sets the stage for this wonderfully written, flowing, witty, lengthy 1006 pages of a novel that takes you to 1806 - 1817 England during the Napoleonic Wars and meeting these two magicians. As history intersects with the story, Strange and Norrell each take part in the war against the French. Magic was long thought to be dead in England, and yet, these two magicians are able to assist the English in the war efforts. 

But that is just part of the story, as there is another deeper mystery at hand after Mr. Norrell raises a young woman from dead by summoning a fairy. This character mysteriously enchants with his powers, pulling humans into the land of faerie with dark consequences. If you read fantasy novels that follow tradition of England and how it used to be open to the faerie realm, you know that faerie is a perilous realm full of magic and tricks. 

This sweeping novel is beautiful and atmospheric. From the rainy streets of London to the vast regions in Yorkshire (northern England), and to the canals of Venice, you are taken on a journey with these magicians who start as friends, but because of their differences become rivals leading them to different paths.

There are so many glimpses into truth and wisdom throughout this book. As characters make choices, you are faced with the decisions with the characters, and it feels like there is a taste of the Lewis and Tolkien kind of fantasy wisdom, with elements of George MacDonald. I saw it described as Harry Potter for adults, and it certainly has that magical curiosity and fun about it that leads you into another realm that is so delightful to me. This is darker than Harry Potter, though. You enter a realm where you aren't quite sure what could happen and you have a lot of fun not knowing where it is going to take you.