Filtered Visions

I have just finished reading 'The Ladies of Grace Adieu' by Susanna Clarke, it's a collection of short stories mostly all set in the same world as her last book 'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell'; set in the 19th Century, lots of magic and fairies, mostly written like a Jane Austin novel. I really enjoyed it! I found the title story a little lacking, I didn't really understand what was going on (may go back and read it again!), but the others were wonderful.


Susanna dables with different writing styles in this book, one story 'On Lickerish Hill' is written in the style of 'John Aubrey' (whom I've never read), but I really enjoyed the rambliness of it: "My mother was mayde and cook to Dr Quince, an ancient and learned gentleman (face, very uglie like the picture of a horse not well done; dry, scantie beard; moist, pale eyes)."

Another story 'The Duke of Wellington Misplaces his horse' is set in the village of Wall, a fictional village from the head of Neil Gaiman in his novel 'Stardust'. My favourite story by far was 'Mrs Mabb', which tells the story of a love lost to another; me and my soppy heart!

Although the story was set in the world of Jonathan Strange, I really don't think it would spoil her first novel if you were to read this first. It doesn't relate to what happened in that book; however, you may not get all of the references or understand the characters (Mr Strange is featured in one of the stories) if you haven't read Jonathan Strange first. To get the most out of the books, I would definately recommend reading them in the right order.

The short stories are a little longer than most short stories, but perfect to read one a day, to and from work on the tube. Would definately recommend if you want a break from a full length novel.