Synopses & Reviews
Following the enormous success of 2004 bestseller and critics' favorite
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke delivers a delicious collection of ten stories set in the same fairy-crossed world of 19th-century England.
With Clarke's characteristic historical detail and diction, these dark, enchanting tales unfold in a slightly distorted version of our own world, where people are bedeviled by mischievous interventions from the fairies. With appearances from beloved characters from her novel, including Jonathan Strange and Childermass, and an entirely new spin on certain historical figures, including Mary, Queen of Scots, this is a must-have for fans of Susanna Clarke's and an enticing introduction to her work for new readers.
Some of these stories have never before been published; others have appeared in the New York Times or in highly regarded anthologies. In this collection, they come together to expand the reach of Clarke's land of enchantment and anticipate her next novel, due in Fall 2008.
Review
"Materials from British folklore are reworked with beguiling narrative energy and mischievous wit....Irresistible storytelling, from a splendidly gifted enchantress." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Clarke has crafted eight quirky and devious stories to delight her fans....These stories are charming, engaging, and deceptively simple." Booklist
Review
"[A] rich, redoubtable vision....For anyone who's been wary of taking on the terrifically intimidating tome that is Mr. Norrell, the lean, lovely, and witty Grace Adieu might just push you over the edge. (Grade: B+)" Entertainment Weekly
Review
"These are all elegant, entertaining stories, and many readers will be untroubled by the airy incoherences found in The Ladies of Grace Adieu. Or else, they may simply say, with Tom Brightwind, 'Who cares?'" Ursula K. Le Guin, The Los Angeles Times
Review
"Readers longing for the lilting language of fairy tales mixed with a dark take on the fantastical world of fairies and witches will find both in Ladies of Grace Adieu....It's easy to get swept up in these adventurous tales of spells and dark powers." USA Today
Review
"The author's wry, knowing narrative voice owes debts to Jane Austen, Bram Stoker and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the delightful illustrations by Charles Vess borrow from 19th-century fairy-tale collections, art deco and Edward Gorey." Seattle Times
Review
"Clarke...is engaged in an experiment, and it isn't entirely successful. The fault lies mainly with the framing device, a faux-scholarly introduction that seems to promise a collection wider-ranging in time and tone than what she delivers." Newsday
Review
"While Ladies of Grace Adieu might inspire new readers to...pick up the 782-page Jonathan Strange, its more likely audience is those who have already finished that novel and are experiencing such withdrawal that they are perusing scientific texts about sea cucumbers, searching for footnotes." The Christian Science Monitor
Review
"If this sounds like your cup of tea with crumpets, by all means get this book and dine away. Make sure to read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell first if you haven't; not so much because you need it to understand the context of the stories, but just because you really should read it. If you have read Strange and Norrell, here are some more delectable morsels from that table. Appetizers are served." Doug Brown, Powells.com (read the entire Powells.com review)
Synopsis
An enchanting anthology of stories by the author of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is set in a mysterious, fantastical version of England populated by petulant princesses, vengeful owls, endless paths in the dark woods, and houses that never appear the same way twice and features the Duke of Wellington, a conceited Regency clergyman, and other colorful characters. 150,000 first printing.
Synopsis
Following the enormous success of 2004 bestseller and critics' favorite Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Clarke delivers a delicious collection of ten stories set in the same fairy-crossed world of 19th-century England.
Synopsis
From the author of the award-winning, internationally bestselling Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, an enchanting collection of stories. Set in versions of England that bear an uncanny resemblance to the world of Strange and Norrell, these stories are brimming with all the ingredients of good fairy tales: petulant princesses, vengeful owls, ladies who pass their time in embroidering terrible fates, endless paths in deep, dark woods, and houses that never appear the same way twice. Their heroines and heroes include the Duke of Wellington, a conceited Regency clergyman, an eighteenth-century Jewish doctor, Mary, Queen of Scots, Jonathan Strange, and the Raven King himself. The Ladies of Grace Adieu is the perfect introduction to a world where charm is always tempered by eerieness, and picaresque comedy is always darkened by the disturbing shadow of Faerie.
About the Author
Susanna Clarke is the author of the New York Times bestseller and multiple award winner Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. She lives in Cambridge, England.
Table of Contents
The Ladies of Grace Adieu On Lickerish Hill Mrs. Mabb The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse Mr. Simonellie or The Fairy Widower Tom Brightwind or How the Fairy Bridge Was Built at Thoresby Antickes and Frets John Uskglass and the Cumbrian Charcoal Burner