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Dionne Dumitru's avatar

Great essay! This is a marvelous novel that I’ve tried without success to recommend to others. Her next book, Piranesi, is equally inventive and affecting, a sip rather than the gulp of Jonathan Strange/Norrell.

Noah Berlatsky's avatar

I might like Piranesi even more!

She has some sort of chronic fatigue syndrome which is why there's so little writing from her, I think.

Dionne Dumitru's avatar

Same (Piranesi).

The short story (Ladies of Grace Adieu) could be more manageable for her now. Her handling of the Jonathan Strange character by the Ladies was hilarious, and aligns with your reading of the character in the novel.

mermcoelho's avatar

This is moving to the top of my TBR list. Thank you!

Tina Hatch's avatar

So glad you shared this again as I missed it the first time. My favorite novel!