The story of two magicians in nineteenth- century England during the Napoleonic wars. Mr Norrell believes he has achieved his aim of being the only magician in the country. He is persuaded to move to London where he raises a woman from the dead. This act unleashes all sorts of unforeseen consequences, not least the decision by Jonathan Strange to become a magician also. Neither character is particularly sympathetic, but their rivalries & obsessions make for a compelling read. As they progress through the secrets of both good & dark magic they cause more problems than they could ever have imagined.