Furthermore, her characters are an odd mix of good intentions and pragmatism-it should be noted that the protagonists largely lack any distinguishable “moral compass” (see Concerning content below). Her characters are realistic and dryly humorous, and (in my mind) similar to some of Dickens’. Overall, this book’s multifold plotlines and rather complicated structure earn it a 7/10 on plot.Ĭlarke incorporates quite a large cast of characters into her setting (so large, in fact, that some readers might have trouble keeping up with them all). While it’s mostly impossible to pick out a single main plot that remains consistent over the course of the book, the magicians’ opposition with this particular fairy (“the man with the thistledown hair”) emerges in the second half of the book as the most important of its many conflicts, and seems to be the most prominent. A third protagonist is also introduced late in the book: Stephen, a black servant who has been bewitched by fairy magic. The introduction of the strange and foreign inhabitants of “the Other Lands” or “Faery” further complicates the action, as the main antagonist of the book is actually a fairy himself, and doesn’t even come from England (the primary setting). The war between France and England is a major conflict, but several others are almost as important, including the dispute between Norrell and Strange themselves. Norrell’s dealings with other British “magicians” and his demonstrations of magical skill, while the second part mostly follows Jonathan Strange’s exploits in England and Europe. The plot-threads of this book are many: the first section revolves around Mr. With a widening rift developing between Strange and Norrell and the consequences of the magicians’ earlier actions returning to haunt them, this book’s witty and complex plot provides an otherworldly look into Clarke’s view of what British history might have been. Strange travels to Europe to fight for England, still learning magic, but gradually becomes obsessed with legends of the founder of English magic: the mysterious Raven King. Yet Norrell is suddenly challenged by another magician: brilliant and handsome Jonathan Strange, whom Norrell reluctantly accepts as a pupil. Excited rumors spread as Norrell performs other feats, including raising a beautiful young lady from the dead and creating phantom ships to terrify the French navy. Norrell of Hurtfew Abbey, who demonstrates his powers to the nation by causing a cathedral-full of statues to come to life. But one magician still remains: cautious and fussy Mr. In the year 1806, England is trapped in a costly war with Napoleon, and the last practicing magicians vanished from England hundreds of years ago.
0 kommentar(er)
