Welcome to Hannah’s Sketch Book Challenge
Day 3- A book that surprised you
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrel, by Susanna Clarke
I can’t think of a more surprising book than Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. It’s very easy to explain- it’s an alternate history which takes place during the Regency period and tells the tale of two men (and their country), within the premise that magic exists. It is a pastiche of 19th century writing styles, a comedy of manners, an endearing rib at the concept of Englishness, and a damn fine yarn.
I have never read another book like this. It is the first and only of its genre, and no matter how much you hear about it, you won’t be ready for its tone, its humor, its blase attitude, its utter reality and its smug otherness. Also, it has totally meta footnotes, which carry out a sort of Pale Fire-like continuation of the universe, and in their way tell an equally fascinating story- one about scholarship, entitlement, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Who likes WIPs?
Yeah, me neither. But I am enjoying messing with this idea, and I thought I’d share my progress up to a (very, very rough) color treatment.
It’s meant to be Jonathan Strange, walking through a portrait. The blue in the background is not working very well. And the bright arcane circles are just standing in for what I think should be a golden compass symbol. I think?
Any suggestions, please speak up.
And hey- that’s my fiance posing for me. He’s a fox.
