Susanna Clarke on Crooked Timber

Susanna Clarke, the author of Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, takes part in one of Crooked Timber's seminars to discuss her novel:

In addition to writing JS&MN, Susanna has written three short stories set in the same (or a closely related?) setting, which were originally published in Patrick Nielsen Hayden’s Starlight, Starlight 2 and Starlight 3 collections, as well as a short short available on the book’s website. We’re delighted that Susanna has been kind enough to participate in a Crooked Timber seminar. John Quiggin argues that the book returns to science fiction’s roots in the examination of the consequences of the Industrial Revolution. Maria Farrell argues that the book is a collision between the imagined Regency England of Jane Austen and romance novels on the one hand, and the real Regency England on the other. Belle Waring asks who the narrator of the book is, and where the female magicians are (she speculates that the two questions may have converging answers). John Holbo examines magic, irony, and Clarke’s depiction of servants. Henry Farrell argues that the hidden story of JS&MN is a critique of English society. Susanna Clarke responds to all the above.

Good stuff, CT. As with all of their seminars, all posts are open to comments; the organizers ask that open questions be posted to Susanna's post alone... Thanks to PZ at Pharnygula for the notice - CT is only on my 'occasionally read' list, but I do love their seminars.