The Ladies of Grace Adieu

Set in the same world as Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke’s short story collection The Ladies of Grace Adieu is simply a delight. These ten short stories expand and explore the world of the renowned novel, including a cameo appearance by Jonathan Strange himself. Not to be outdone, John Uskglass, several fairy princes, Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Duke of Wellington are also featured.

The Ladies of Grace Adieu contains the very best components of fairy tales and folklore and all the literary acumen that readers adore in Clarke’s other works. This is an England of fairies and magic spells, just a turn-off-kilter from our own, rendered into addictive 19th-century prose. Clarke explores different narrative styles and viewpoints, exercising her trademark humor and story-craft. Rich and strange, these stories are intricate and modern, giving voice to women who have been overlooked in literature from the day. Simple enough to read quickly, these fairy stories for grownups are complex enough to make you want to revisit them often.