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Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell champion English magic
by Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public Radio
December 9, 2004

Susanna Clarke created an entire history of magic for her two characters to discover and revive. (Image courtesy of Bloomsbury)

St. Paul, Minn. — Unless you've read Susanna Clarke's novel, "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel," you're probably unaware how the British used a magician to defeat Napoleon at Waterloo.

It's just a small detail in an epic tale that's been drawing rave reviews in the UK, and now the U.S.

But it's far from an overnight success. Clarke had a day job editing cookbooks. It took her 10 years to write the novel about her heroes Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange.

Susanna Clarke spoke with MPR's Euan Kerr about her book. To listen to the interview, choose the audio link in the right column.

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