The year is 1806. The Learned Society of York Magicians consists of "theoretical magicians" who believe that the practice of magic has died out.

The mean-spirited Mr Norrell of Hurtfew Abbey, who hoards books of magic in his massive private collection, proves them wrong with a stunning display of "practical magic" and forces them to disband.

He then moves, along with his helper, Childermass, into a rich neighbourhood in London, and becomes the toast of town, attracting charlatans and genuine admirers alike, but only after he manages to revive the dead fiancee of cabinet minister Sir Walter Pole.

Three years later, a man called Jonathan Strange moves to London with his wife, Arabella, and becomes Norrell’s pupil.

These are the bare bones of the story. There is much more: a prophecy. The Napoleonic wars. A street magician. The Raven King. The gentleman with the thistle-down hair.

The book is written as an alternate history of England, and as, a comedy of manners, has often invited comparisons to Jane Austen’s work. As a work of fantasy, it has been hailed as “an instant classic” and “a masterpiece of the genre”.

Susanna Clarke employs almost two hundred footnotes that segue from the ongoing storyline into fascinating distractions that ultimately make the story even richer and deeper than it already is. Clarke took ten years to write this, her only novel to date.

Published in 2004.