Lit Alert: Susanna Clarke

By Kari Geltemeyer in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 13, 2004 6:28PM

Hot scribe of the moment Susanna Clarke is scheduled to speak at the Lookingglass Theatre on Dec. 19 as part of WFMT’s most excellent “Writers on the Record” series with host Victoria Lautman.

Even before its release in September, Clarke’s heavyweight debut novel (and at 800 pages, we mean that both literally and figuratively) “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” was anointed the year’s Instant Literary Blockbuster status by way of hype & superlative. An amalgam of fantasy and history in 18th century England, this tale of two magicians has been tagged as a cross between Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling with, praise the Lord, nary a chick lit reference in sight. We haven’t managed to crack the spine yet, so we can neither yea nor nay, but Amazon’s ever-unbiased reviewer found it “sparkling.”

Like the best things in life, tickets are free; call 312-832-6788 for yours. Can’t bear to stumble over the snow and last-minute shoppers? Cozy up to the fireplace and tune in to 98.7 FM at noon for the live broadcast.