Susanna Clarke

Enjoyed the historical detail, lively characters and magical story of Johnathan Strange? Check out these books!

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Bull, Emma, Brust, Steven - Freedom and Necessity
Told through letters and journal entries, this novel follows a man, believed to be dead for two months, who suddenly reappears…but without any memory of the two months. Like Jonathan Strange, this novel features elements of magic and the supernatural, and a large cast that includes historic figures.

Clarke, Susanna - The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
A collection of short stories, Clarke’s follow up to Jonathan Strange features magical creatures, different lands and some familiar faces. Like her first book, these stories are set in and around the same magical England and center on some of the same characters.

Hoffman, Alice - Practical Magic
This book centers on two sisters and their aunts—all of them witches—as they deal with love, its effects and consequences. Like Jonathan Strange, Hoffman blends the real world with a magical one with a flowing writing style. Also check out the 1998 movie adaptation.

Priest, Christopher - The Prestige
A fellow World Fantasy Award winner , The Prestige follows a bitter feud between two magicians in the 19th century, and the lasting effects generations later. While The Prestige features a different kind of magic, it shares its London backdrop and supernatural elements with Jonathan Strange.

Willig, Lauren - The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
This historical romance involves a young woman trying to avenge her father's death (while finding love in the process) during the Napoleonic wars. Like Jonathan Strange, this book is set in England, during a similar time frame and also has engaging characters.

Lackey, Mercedes - The Gates of Sleep
This Sleeping Beauty retelling is set in Edwardian England and adds stronger elements of magic and a far more evil villain to a traditional story. The magical protagonist, attention to historical detail and cast of strong characters should prove appealing to Jonathan Strange readers.

Baumgold, Julie - The Diamond
Beginning in 1672, this novel traces the history of the Regent diamond through Napoleon's exile, with a host of historical figures (including Marie Antoinette and William Pitt) in between. A blending of historical events and fiction, complemented by historical figures and a detailed setting, this book may appeal to Jonathan Strange fans.

Novik, Naomi - His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire Book 1)
This blend of history and fantasy involves a British naval officer and his Chinese dragon as they fight the French in the Napoleonic wars. Like Jonathan Strange, Novik’s book has military details of the same period, magic elements and involves a mythical creature as a main character.

Austen, Jane - Emma
This classic novel centers on Emma Woodhouse, a wealthy young lady with, she thinks, a knack for matchmaking. Romantic mishaps ensue! A personal favorite of Susanna Clarke, Emma is also set in the Regency period and fans of Clarke’s writing style will certainly enjoy Austen’s.

Cornwell, Bernard - Sharpe's Rifles
A prequel to the Sharpe series, this particular book has Lieutenant Sharpe fighting Napoleon in Spain where he encounters the French, bad weather and antagonistic subordinates. The Spanish setting and Napoleon wars aspect will be familiar to Jonathan Strange readers.

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Submitted by Elisabeth Seasonwein, S524: Readers Advisory for Adults course in the School of Library and Information Science at Indiana University.