At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr. Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician, the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange. Young, handsome, and daring, Strange is the very opposite of Norrell. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear. Time #1 Book of the Year Book Sense Book of the Year People Top Ten Books of the Year Winner of the Hugo Award New York Times Notable Book of the Year Salon.com Top Ten of 2004 Winner of the World Fantasy Award Nancy Pearl's Top 12 Books of 2004 Washington Post Book World's Best of 2004 Christian Science Monitor Best Fiction 2004 San Francisco Chronicle Best Books of 2004 Winner of the Locus Award for Best First Novel Chicago Tribune Best of 2004 Seattle Times 25 Best Books of 2004 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 12 Books of 2004 Village Voice "Top Shelf" Raleigh News & Observer Best of 2004 Rocky Mountain News critics' favorites of 2004