Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - August 2026 edition

[Elendil_s_Heir]

@HMS_Irruncible

I’m in the middle of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, because I liked her other book Piranesi so much. In particular I’m enjoying how she treats magic and the supernatural in this routine and matter-of-fact way that makes it feel that it’s supporting the main story (though there’s no real story without it).

I like a writer who is able to quietly emanate their skill and mastery without overtly calling attention to it, Clarke is definitely that writer. Somehow her writing ability just radiates off the page without calling attention to itself, in fact she seems perfectly content to add a lot of subtle cleverness that’s likely to be overlooked if the reader is moving too fast (which I do at times, she’s definitely made me slow down).

I couldn’t agree more, and well said. Two previous threads that may be of interest:

Anyone read "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell"?

I’m about 2/3 through it so far and I can’t decide how I feel about it. Anyone else out there read this book? What did you think about it?

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (open spoilers)

I devoured Piranesi by Susanna Clarke in just two days. Not nearly as big or complicated as her masterful Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, and unlike that book there’s nary a footnote to be seen, but it’s a quiet, deeply moving fantasy novel about a semi-amnesiac man living in a vast marble palace that is, from time to time, inundated by the sea. Gradually, from visitors - one friendly, but others not - and through his own inquiries, he learns who he is and just how he got there. Highly reco…