Jack Tells You What He Thinks Of A Book: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, by Susannah Clarke

It's the early Victorian Era in England, and two quite different gentlemen are about to bring magic back to where it all started. If you're not intrigued, do not read this book. To me, Strange & Norrell was an absolute delight. It's written in the same high Victorian prose that is associated with the period, complete with long tangents that lead nowhere, extensive footnotes that tell legends and stories barely connected to the story, and lots of long gentlemanly dialogue between Clarke's fictional English citizens. The book is separated into three parts, and a boxed set (which I am waiting to buy; I actually got this book from the library) containing each of these three books in separate volumes comes out in November. If you want to read an alt-fantasy book with an incredible magic system, and one that is masterfully written, with much character development, but little character attachment, and a perfect ending to boot, do yourself a favor: don't run, walk in a proper English fashion to your nearest book seller and pick up a copy today. Or just get on the internet. Whatever. I don't care. Don't even care if you read the stupid book. You're stupid.