I needed a long book to keep me company at the coffeeshop the other day, so I naturally picked up the longest novel I own – a novel whose praises I have sung unceasingly for the past three years – a novel I re-read at least once a year, if not more: Susanna Clarke’s tour-de-force Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Of course, as is the case with wonderful books, once I had picked it up I could not put it down, so I have spent the past three days with this seven-hundred-and-eighty-two-page brick constantly in my hand, with no notion of where I was or where I was going.
Not two minutes ago, it was with deep sadness that I read the last line, perused the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, the NOTE ON THE AUTHOR and the NOTE ON THE TYPE and, finally, closed the book. I guess this is by way of announcement: I’m back in 21st-century America after a three-day sojourn in 19th-century England in the company of Fairies, Magicians, Rogues, Politicians & various notable historical Personages. Be extra-nice to me and I might stick around for a few months before I go gallivanting off again with Messrs STRANGE & NORRELL.
Sean
