I was delighted — in the mad, action-packed, over-filled days before my departure — that the much anticipated last-I-swear-splurge-before-imminent-unemployment arrived: the Folio Society edition of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Many of you know how much I delight in Susanna Clarke’s novel, but with the addition of illustrations and glorious endpapers by Charles Vess, is it any wonder I could not resist (hey, I resisted the deluxe signed edition! Okay, that was easy because it sold out in literally minutes while this one took actual hours to sell out — but is heading for a reprinting, so don’t cry!).

As you can see, it lived up to all expectations:

Yes, my excuse is always that I will be writing about it, and talking about the novel this summer and maybe fall. Yes, I am ending my traditional academic career with the closing of the college, but who knows what untraditional career I will take up (or as is more likely, will take up me).

Obviously a Strangite, I will just feel for the magic…

Read my essays (so far!) on the Celtic influence on fantasy in JS&MN or on tarot.