Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Summary

The novel «Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell» is set in an alternate early 19th-century England, where magic was once a powerful force but has since lost its significance. The main character, Mr Norrell, seeks to revive magic and prove its usefulness, becoming the only practicing magician in England. However, Jonathan Strange soon emerges, a young and talented magician who becomes Norrell's apprentice. Their collaboration and rivalry unfold against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, leading to unexpected consequences. Strange and Norrell encounter ancient forces that threaten to destroy their world, forcing them to reconsider their views on magic and its place in society. The novel explores themes of power, ambition, and responsibility, as well as the relationship between teacher and student.