Point Books As The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
| Original Title: | The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories |
| ISBN: | 1596912510 (ISBN13: 9781596912519) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | Jonathan Strange, Gilbert Norrell, John Uskglass (The Raven King) |
| Setting: | United Kingdom |
| Literary Awards: | Locus Award Nominee for Best Collection (2007), World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Collection (2007), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Adult Literature (2007) |
Susanna Clarke
Hardcover | Pages: 235 pages Rating: 3.86 | 16346 Users | 1411 Reviews
Itemize Containing Books The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
| Title | : | The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories |
| Author | : | Susanna Clarke |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 235 pages |
| Published | : | October 17th 2006 by Bloomsbury USA (first published October 31st 2004) |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Short Stories. Fiction. Historical. Historical Fiction. Magic |
Explanation During Books The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
Following the enormous success of 2004 bestseller and critics' favorite "Jonathan Strange & 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 (Fall 2008).Rating Containing Books The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
Ratings: 3.86 From 16346 Users | 1411 ReviewsEvaluation Containing Books The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
A collection from the author of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, cast in a similar scholarly tone, but focused much more specifically on the fairies. . . . Meh.Most of these stories are in the world of Jonathan Strange (who himself makes an appearance in the titular story). I liked the novel all right, though it didnt blow my mind or anything. But the style which is bemusing and engrossing over six hundred pages is remote and rather inaccessible in short form. Clarkes fairies are alsoHow rare it is to find a book which is exactly what its author meant it to be. There are no missteps here, everything is deliberate, and much of it masterful. It is not surprising that, when he first read one of Clarke's short stories, Neil Gaiman remarked:"It was terrifying from my point of view to read this first short story that had so much assurance ... It was like watching someone sit down to play the piano for the first time and she plays a sonata."The English tradition of Fairy Stories is
In recent years I have discovered the wonder of the short story through the genius of writers such as Chekhov, Lovecraft and Poe. In turn I have also discovered the satisfaction that arises from writing a short story that works as fiction. To complement this I have also in the past year discovered the wonder of one of the great fantasy works I have ever read in Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.* In The Ladies of Grace Adieu Susanna Clarke combines both of these two separate entities which I have
3.5 out of 5Susanna Clarke's writing is beautiful. I'm impressed by her mastery of words, her engaging narrative voice, and her ability to create a mysteriously eerie atmosphere of 18th-19th century England, as well as to build an alternative world of magic and fairies, entirely through plot and dialogue.The stories in this collection are peculiar, elegant, dark, and often humorous. However, I had a rather disappointing start because the very first story, "The Ladies of Grace Adieu," turned out
4.5/5I'm not nearly as put off by short stories as I used to be, but when the author in question has only been experienced via massive tome of snail-slow story building and the most mincing of emotional turnabouts (thank you, England), my hopes were not high. Lucky for me, Clarke can not only deliver her wit and world immersion in more minute packaging, but knows how to successfully explore her strengths. Of course, it's all very polite and English and even Ye Olde in parts, but that particular
3.5 starsI have to admit that I found the first four stories in this collection only fair-to-middling, though the title tale had some nice moments of understated menace. From the point of "Mr. Simonelli, or the Fairy Widower" on, however, I was fully on-board and greatly enjoyed the rest of the collection.Simonelli is a great character, equal parts self-aggrandizing rogue (for, we learn, obvious cultural reasons) and concerned pastor of his flock. I'd love to see more of his reminiscences in a
3ish stars. As with any collection of short stories, there are some brilliant pieces here and some duds. Since these stories are all more or less based in the same alternate history universe established in a previous book by the author, there are perhaps more specific expectations present than in other collections. For the most part, this book holds up under those expectations. Susanna Clarke has achieved a supreme level mastery of language. Her prose is incredible. It doesn't feel like schtick,
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