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The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City
Bloomsbury presents The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City by Susanna Clarke, read by Richard Armitage, featuring an afterword written and read by Susanna Clarke.
From the bestselling and prize-winning author of Piranesi, an enchanting short story set in the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
‘He had already served three kings. He did not see why he should not be useful to a fourth.’
During the conquest of Northern England, the fairy host sweeps across the countryside. The city of Durham finds itself surrounded. But the encircling forces are not fairies, nor even other humans, but trees that trap the city within an eerie wood.
Ranulf, Bishop of Durham—a consummate politician—understands that the survival of the Northern English people depends on his finding a way to unite the two races, human and fairy. And he's not averse to improving his own position at the same time. With these aims in view, he sets off for the New Castle, in search of the new King—the leader of the fairy host, rumored to be a mysterious human boy, no more than fourteen years old, who speaks no word of any human language.
Set 700 years before the events of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is a bewitching, must-have addition to any fantasy reader's shelf.
From the bestselling and prize-winning author of Piranesi, an enchanting short story set in the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
‘He had already served three kings. He did not see why he should not be useful to a fourth.’
During the conquest of Northern England, the fairy host sweeps across the countryside. The city of Durham finds itself surrounded. But the encircling forces are not fairies, nor even other humans, but trees that trap the city within an eerie wood.
Ranulf, Bishop of Durham—a consummate politician—understands that the survival of the Northern English people depends on his finding a way to unite the two races, human and fairy. And he's not averse to improving his own position at the same time. With these aims in view, he sets off for the New Castle, in search of the new King—the leader of the fairy host, rumored to be a mysterious human boy, no more than fourteen years old, who speaks no word of any human language.
Set 700 years before the events of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is a bewitching, must-have addition to any fantasy reader's shelf.
Audible Audio
First published October 20, 2026
About the author
Susanna Clarke
33 books13.6k followersSusanna Clarke was born in Nottingham in 1959. A nomadic childhood was spent in towns in Northern England and Scotland. She was educated at St Hilda's College, Oxford, and has worked in various areas of non-fiction publishing, including Gordon Fraser and Quarto. In 1990, she left London and went to Turin to teach English to stressed-out executives of the Fiat motor company. The following year she taught English in Bilbao.
She returned to England in 1992 and spent the rest of that year in County Durham, in a house that looked out over the North Sea. There she began working on her first novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
From 1993 to 2003, Susanna Clarke was an editor at Simon and Schuster's Cambridge office, where she worked on their cookery list. She has published seven short stories and novellas in US anthologies. One, "The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse," first appeared in a limited-edition, illustrated chapbook from Green Man Press. Another, "Mr Simonelli or The Fairy Widower," was shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award in 2001.
She lives in Cambridge with her partner, the novelist and reviewer Colin Greenland.
She returned to England in 1992 and spent the rest of that year in County Durham, in a house that looked out over the North Sea. There she began working on her first novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
From 1993 to 2003, Susanna Clarke was an editor at Simon and Schuster's Cambridge office, where she worked on their cookery list. She has published seven short stories and novellas in US anthologies. One, "The Duke of Wellington Misplaces His Horse," first appeared in a limited-edition, illustrated chapbook from Green Man Press. Another, "Mr Simonelli or The Fairy Widower," was shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award in 2001.
She lives in Cambridge with her partner, the novelist and reviewer Colin Greenland.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
October 17, 2026
Literally my only complaint is that there aren’t another 100 pages. But Susanna proves how much she can do with how little.
October 24, 2026
There's a fascinating episode of the Fictionable podcast where Susanna Clarke reads part of this story and discusses it here: https://shows.acast.com/fictionable/e...
The novella is beautifully written and illustrated - though perhaps intended more as a gift book for aficionados of 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' rather than as a standalone. The title is so captivating - almost a story in itself - that I wanted to read it anyway, despite not yet having read that earlier book.
The novella is beautifully written and illustrated - though perhaps intended more as a gift book for aficionados of 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell' rather than as a standalone. The title is so captivating - almost a story in itself - that I wanted to read it anyway, despite not yet having read that earlier book.
July 25, 2026
I just love everything Susanna Clarke writes. Even her novellas are such brilliant little pieces of the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, and The Bishop of Durham provided a nice peek into the Raven King's early days. I hope we get to continue returning to this world forever. Clarke's afterword on fantasy stories and nature was unexpected but so beautifully written.
October 24, 2026
I braved the unrelenting rain of Storm Austen to get this in the bookshop the day after release. I hoped it would be as delectable as The Wood at Midwinter in design and indeed it was! I loved the border illustrations (unique to each page spread) and the full-page illustrations, with lovely medieval details (there's even a snail!). I quite enjoyed the story and its addition to the world of Strange & Norrell. Indeed the implications, explored a bit in Clarke's essay at the end of the book, are wonderful for mulling over. The essay was published online here. Of course, the weather made this particular book even more timely of a read!
October 23, 2026
This short novella from Susanna Clarke takes up back a thousand years to the north of England where a fairy king is now in control ; as a mysterious woodland force seems to be encircling the city of Durham, Ranulf the Bishop of the city seeks to find the king and for an allegiance.
I listened to an audiobook version and Richard Armitage’s vocal interpretation was pitch perfect. In a world of insanity,I felt as though I was transported back to a time when stories were read to me- to be enchanted and enthralled. We all need more of this- a connection to younger years and a childhood wonder.
Susanna Clarke’s brief chapter at the end of the book explaining her thoughts on the landscape and earth having energies and powers of their own was fascinating - especially when linked to the works of other classic authors.
This is a short novella but it has a beauty and power ; it’s often said that less is more and this the case.
Bewitching and magical
I listened to an audiobook version and Richard Armitage’s vocal interpretation was pitch perfect. In a world of insanity,I felt as though I was transported back to a time when stories were read to me- to be enchanted and enthralled. We all need more of this- a connection to younger years and a childhood wonder.
Susanna Clarke’s brief chapter at the end of the book explaining her thoughts on the landscape and earth having energies and powers of their own was fascinating - especially when linked to the works of other classic authors.
This is a short novella but it has a beauty and power ; it’s often said that less is more and this the case.
Bewitching and magical
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This combo of fable, fantasy history, and children's story is set in the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. It describes Ranulf, the Bishop of Durham, as he learns that the North of England has been conquered by fairies. Ranulf, being an ambitious clergyman, decides to surrender to the king and offer his services in governing the newly conquered lands. But the king is incommunicado, and Ranulf can't figure out if it's because he means to be or if it's because he's being kept from a visit. The real reason to read this book is for another gulp of Clarke's prose.
The story is simple and works best if you like fairy tales and Jonathan Strange. The pages are beautifully illustrated with medieval-inspired illuminations; I think that people who'd love this book would REALLY love the physical copy!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
The story is simple and works best if you like fairy tales and Jonathan Strange. The pages are beautifully illustrated with medieval-inspired illuminations; I think that people who'd love this book would REALLY love the physical copy!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
September 26, 2026
An all-too-brief reminder of Clarke's remarkable skill at combining fascinating magical lore with dry humor, "The Bishop of Durham" brings us once more into the presence of the Raven King. In relatively few pages, Clarke conjures a rich world of history and faerie that's begging for further exploration. Victoria Sawdon's rich illustrations contribute to the impression that the tale has been recorded in a medieval manuscript, and there's also a brief essay about children's literature, fantasy, and the natural world tucked into this volume. It's a welcome return to the world of Jonathan Strange; I hope it isn't the last. Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC to review via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this thoroughly! A very fun look at the time when the Raven King began his reign, I liked the characters and setting a lot. The art is also gorgeous! I just love the way Clarke writes a story, and it's getting harder by the day not to dive into a re-read of "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell", let me tell ya. 5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
October 22, 2026
Listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Armitage (!), but I'm definitely getting an illustrated copy as well. Beautiful addition to the JSAMN verse. Loved Clarke's afterword on fantasy and nature too!
October 22, 2026
Excellent premise. Good essay on fairy tales at the end. Disappointingly brief fairy tale in the middle.
Review of advance copy
(GOODREADS HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF BOOKSHOPS PUTTING STUFF OUT EARLY I DIDN'T GET AN ADVANCE COPY STOP BOTHERING ME)
This made me want to reread Strange and Norrell SO badly, absolutely desperately, but I just don't have time at the minute. Maybe I'll do it in the new year when everything's miserable and boring in January and February.
Anyhow, this is a quick little half an hour read, beautifully produced and illustrated; I wish it was part of a short story collection rather than a foil-edged symptom of Bloomsbury's impatience for another Susanna Clarke Book they can make Susanna Clarke Monies and Win Prizes on. In fact it's becoming endemic in publishing. If YOUR iconic writer has health issues that prevent them from writing quickly enough for the publishing machine, just yank a short story out of them and produce it in a posh edition for full-novel prices! Is this cynical at very best? Sure! You're gonna buy it though! And the fact is that I did buy it (although not full price. industry discount babe) because, as I said when this was announced, I would read about the Raven King buying a fridge.
None of that yap was about the actual content anyway, which is slim but full of Clarke's characteristic numinosity, sublimity, and dry wit. Bishop is about the Norman Bishop of Durham, Ranulf, losing a siege to the Raven King and his fairy forces (and the trees) and making stubborn attempts to go to Newcastle and surrender and pay homage to the new king - no, directly to the King, not a proxy, thank you - while the new king's court, both fairy and man, are no bloody help. I actually preferred this to Wood at Midwinter; it's closer to S&N and therefore closer to what I love most about Clarke. A little peek over the parapet at the early days of the Raven King's reign, and I loved the hints at fairy court intrigues and clashes that Ranulf wanders into the middle of. Funny, as well; supremely droll. The image of Ranulf waiting patiently to surrender and all these fairies opening the door to glower at him and then go away again was great. The obstinate vulnerability and inaccessibility of the young Raven King (before he was that; before he was anything much apart from The King who has won the North, as it happens) was super compelling, considering we only get him in the tiniest snippets elsewhere. Where he is also obstinate and inaccessible and unhelpful, but that's him. The little in-universe postscript about versions and Shakespeare, which was CLEARLY a S&N footnote pretending to be a postscript, made me smile as well. Nice to read something new from Clarke; I know she is working on two future novels, so I will wait nice and patiently until one or the other materialises.
This made me want to reread Strange and Norrell SO badly, absolutely desperately, but I just don't have time at the minute. Maybe I'll do it in the new year when everything's miserable and boring in January and February.
Anyhow, this is a quick little half an hour read, beautifully produced and illustrated; I wish it was part of a short story collection rather than a foil-edged symptom of Bloomsbury's impatience for another Susanna Clarke Book they can make Susanna Clarke Monies and Win Prizes on. In fact it's becoming endemic in publishing. If YOUR iconic writer has health issues that prevent them from writing quickly enough for the publishing machine, just yank a short story out of them and produce it in a posh edition for full-novel prices! Is this cynical at very best? Sure! You're gonna buy it though! And the fact is that I did buy it (although not full price. industry discount babe) because, as I said when this was announced, I would read about the Raven King buying a fridge.
None of that yap was about the actual content anyway, which is slim but full of Clarke's characteristic numinosity, sublimity, and dry wit. Bishop is about the Norman Bishop of Durham, Ranulf, losing a siege to the Raven King and his fairy forces (and the trees) and making stubborn attempts to go to Newcastle and surrender and pay homage to the new king - no, directly to the King, not a proxy, thank you - while the new king's court, both fairy and man, are no bloody help. I actually preferred this to Wood at Midwinter; it's closer to S&N and therefore closer to what I love most about Clarke. A little peek over the parapet at the early days of the Raven King's reign, and I loved the hints at fairy court intrigues and clashes that Ranulf wanders into the middle of. Funny, as well; supremely droll. The image of Ranulf waiting patiently to surrender and all these fairies opening the door to glower at him and then go away again was great. The obstinate vulnerability and inaccessibility of the young Raven King (before he was that; before he was anything much apart from The King who has won the North, as it happens) was super compelling, considering we only get him in the tiniest snippets elsewhere. Where he is also obstinate and inaccessible and unhelpful, but that's him. The little in-universe postscript about versions and Shakespeare, which was CLEARLY a S&N footnote pretending to be a postscript, made me smile as well. Nice to read something new from Clarke; I know she is working on two future novels, so I will wait nice and patiently until one or the other materialises.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2026
Early copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.
Much like Susanna Clarke's recently published The Wood at Midwinter, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is brief but really quite delightful, especially once you realize where the story is headed.
Set in the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, some 700 years earlier, the tale follows the Bishop of Durham as he attempts to negotiate with the fairy forces that have overtaken Northern England. It's a captivating little story, full of the peculiar magic and political maneuvering (or political magic and peculiar maneuvering) that make Clarke's fictional world so interesting.
And this is another one that almost begs to be read aloud, the book held between forked fingers to better show off the gorgeous illustrations by Victoria Sawdon.
Much like Susanna Clarke's recently published The Wood at Midwinter, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is brief but really quite delightful, especially once you realize where the story is headed.
Set in the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, some 700 years earlier, the tale follows the Bishop of Durham as he attempts to negotiate with the fairy forces that have overtaken Northern England. It's a captivating little story, full of the peculiar magic and political maneuvering (or political magic and peculiar maneuvering) that make Clarke's fictional world so interesting.
And this is another one that almost begs to be read aloud, the book held between forked fingers to better show off the gorgeous illustrations by Victoria Sawdon.
September 14, 2026
I absolutely adored this little illustrated novella. Each page is richly done to look like a medieval illuminated manuscript, and it added so much to the story.
The story takes place in the same world as her other work. Despite not having read the books in question (yet!), it was still a wildly enjoyable story.
The story and the layout create such a wonderful feeling of whimsy and fantasy. It was such a delight to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes place in the same world as her other work. Despite not having read the books in question (yet!), it was still a wildly enjoyable story.
The story and the layout create such a wonderful feeling of whimsy and fantasy. It was such a delight to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
October 21, 2026"If The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City came from anyone other than Susanna Clarke, I don’t know that I’d bother with something so slight. But if you’re familiar with her work, you’ll know that nothing she does is insubstantial or superfluous. This slim volume may hold only a short story and an essay, but it is greater than the sum of its parts.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell was published in 2004 and is one of those genre-defining works. It’s a doorstopper of a novel, nearly a thousand pages of British history reimagined through a fantasy framework. Fairies, magicians, wars, and academic spats all converge onto the two eponymous men and their associates. The novel takes place in the early 19th century and centers on the return of John Uskglass, also known as the Raven King. The Raven King plays a pivotal role in the lives of Strange and Norrell. The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is at its most basic, a prequel about how the Raven King came to sit on the throne of Northern England. Yet it’s also a tale of the death of childhood, the fierceness of political ambition, and the casual cruelties of the rich and powerful."
Susanna Clarke's The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City marks her return to the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, carving open the backstory of one John Uskglass. Read Alex Brown's review.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell was published in 2004 and is one of those genre-defining works. It’s a doorstopper of a novel, nearly a thousand pages of British history reimagined through a fantasy framework. Fairies, magicians, wars, and academic spats all converge onto the two eponymous men and their associates. The novel takes place in the early 19th century and centers on the return of John Uskglass, also known as the Raven King. The Raven King plays a pivotal role in the lives of Strange and Norrell. The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is at its most basic, a prequel about how the Raven King came to sit on the throne of Northern England. Yet it’s also a tale of the death of childhood, the fierceness of political ambition, and the casual cruelties of the rich and powerful."
Susanna Clarke's The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City marks her return to the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, carving open the backstory of one John Uskglass. Read Alex Brown's review.
October 21, 2026
Would not recommend to anyone who hasn't read JSMN, but to everyone who has? Oh, go pick The Bishop of Durham up.
It's genuinely entrancing what Susanna Clarke does with genre and format, and while I do not think that this reaches the highest highs of "The Ladies of Grace Adieu" I do think that it is a short-stort that could work well among them. John Uskglass is a fantastic character, and the fact that Clarke keeps characterising him through his absence, truly shines an even brighter light upon the role he plays among the fairie-kind in the world of Strange and Norrell. A quick read and an absolute delight!!
It's genuinely entrancing what Susanna Clarke does with genre and format, and while I do not think that this reaches the highest highs of "The Ladies of Grace Adieu" I do think that it is a short-stort that could work well among them. John Uskglass is a fantastic character, and the fact that Clarke keeps characterising him through his absence, truly shines an even brighter light upon the role he plays among the fairie-kind in the world of Strange and Norrell. A quick read and an absolute delight!!
October 14, 2026
Welp, now I definitely need to go read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and I finally understand why I’ve seen so many people talking about Susanna Clarke’s books. Having not read any of her work before, I was instantly taken in by her writing. I was impressed by how much she was able to accomplish with this story in such a short amount of time, with her evocative prose and intriguing characters. Her other books are going right towards the top of my TBR.
Many thanks to Libro.fm, Susanna Clarke, and Bloomsbury Publishing for the chance to listen to this educator ALC.
Many thanks to Libro.fm, Susanna Clarke, and Bloomsbury Publishing for the chance to listen to this educator ALC.
October 20, 2026
I love how fluidly this work dovetails into English history. It’s very much in the tradition of C. S. Lewis and the broader scholarly lineage of British magical literature. Charming.
October 21, 2026
It's fine, a short children's story. Nice illustrations.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Seven hundred years before the events of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, the Bishop of Durham is very much a politician who prefers to spare his own neck, but also a man who is serious about his duty. The job of bishop, after all, is to shepherd his people to safety. When the fairy host conquers the North, it is said that the new king is a human teenager raised by the fairies. So the Bishop sets off to the New Castle to pledge his fealty to this new king, recognizing an opportunity to peacefully join together their people. But things have a way of never going exactly as planned.
I will follow Susanna Clarke or her extraordinary creations anywhere. She is one of the best storytellers we have amongst us, and this short story is a great example. The best part for me, though, is the afterward. She writes about the importance of children’s literature and fairy tales in general, how we need authors who don’t age out of their whimsy. Where would we be without Tolkien seeing hobbits in the fields he wrote about, or Wells putting pen to paper after wondering what we might see if we could travel through time? I don’t want to imagine a world without that kind of storytelling. I will forever be reading my children’s classics, hoping more authors rediscover their love for fantastical things. Clarke gets it.
Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing, Susanna Clarke (author), and Edelweiss for the digital review copy of The Bishop of Durham Attempts To Surrender the City. Their generosity did not influence my review.
I will follow Susanna Clarke or her extraordinary creations anywhere. She is one of the best storytellers we have amongst us, and this short story is a great example. The best part for me, though, is the afterward. She writes about the importance of children’s literature and fairy tales in general, how we need authors who don’t age out of their whimsy. Where would we be without Tolkien seeing hobbits in the fields he wrote about, or Wells putting pen to paper after wondering what we might see if we could travel through time? I don’t want to imagine a world without that kind of storytelling. I will forever be reading my children’s classics, hoping more authors rediscover their love for fantastical things. Clarke gets it.
Thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing, Susanna Clarke (author), and Edelweiss for the digital review copy of The Bishop of Durham Attempts To Surrender the City. Their generosity did not influence my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
una historia que pertenece a un mundo que no conozco mucho pero sentí como si me estuvieran contando un cuento, sentada en una ronda prestando atención, una novela corta que nos invita a visitar un universo de fantasía por un ratito
September 20, 2026
a bit confused but I had a good time
October 20, 2026
I will read anything written by Susanna Clarke, and so of course I was eager to pick up this short story. The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is a delightful little fairy tale about a town Bishop who, upon hearing that the North of England has been conquered by faeries, decides to head on up and offer his services to the new king. Of course once there he finds it difficult to figure out who exactly he is meant to talk to or how one goes about surrendering to the fae.
This is a lovely little story from Clarke, full of her signature style and beautifully illustrated in medieval fashion. I read a digital ARC, but I would highly suggest reading this in physical form to get the full effect of the illustrations. If you enjoyed Jonathan Strange then you will want to pick up this new glimpse into the world of the Raven King.
This is a lovely little story from Clarke, full of her signature style and beautifully illustrated in medieval fashion. I read a digital ARC, but I would highly suggest reading this in physical form to get the full effect of the illustrations. If you enjoyed Jonathan Strange then you will want to pick up this new glimpse into the world of the Raven King.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an advance copy of this illustrated novella, a prequel to a very popular book that shows how a King rose up, a war was lost, and the magic and intrigue that brought all this together.
I am not sure if it is the hustle-and-bustle of the new century, the increased use of gadgets bringing more misery quickly into our lives, or that I am just getting old, but I am finding more and more that short stories are becoming a big part of my reading life. For the longest time I was sort of against short stories, not that I didn't read them, but I always found short stories, even novellas, well short. If the story was bad brevity couldn't come fast enough. A good story, well I wanted more to spend more time with the characters, see their futures, and their adventures. Now I find myself reading short works, even novellas that start, do their thing, and end, all with a sense of satisfaction for a reader like myself. Especially when the tale expands on works I previously enjoyed. Even more when they are written by an author as talented as this one. The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is an illustrated short story by Susanna Clarke, detailing important events that set the scene for the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, about a war, a king, a clever bishop and what went on when England fell to the forces of fairy.
Durham is a town surrounded by strong walls, a fast moving river, and has in the past survived many a siege during wartime. This time things are different. The forces they face are those of fairy, who play games with the minds of soldiers, causing them retreat to protection of the walls. Once there, the city is first surrounded by trees, that choke off the city, swallow up lumberjacks, and entrap those inside. Even the river turns against them, tossing boats around, not flowing correctly, and causing mischief to those inside. Ranulf is a Norman, a Bishop of the city and one who knows when he is beaten. Ranulf attempts to surrender, but is not sure who to surrender to. The trees. The river. The birds around them. Ranulf decided to surrender to the new king, and travels to the new capital to do so. However things are not going smooth there either. Intrigue is strong, people fight for power, and Ranulf as Bishop sees another chance at getting a little power for himself. Though he might have to pass through a land of elephants, a moon, and even hell itself to impress his new king.
The story is written as a fable in a way, with trees and birds and fairies, but is grounded in a way that only Clarke can. The story starts quick and keeps moving, dropping hints, and characters familiar from the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. This is the rise of the Raven King, from prisoner to ruler, slave to something more. The writing is really good, immediately putting the reader in a place both familiar and different, yet completely fascinating. The illustrations are similar to an illuminated manuscript, and give the story an otherworld feel, that complements that work. Clarke even adds a bit of explanation, a little bio, a little where the idea came from for this story, and larger work that this is a prelude to. In fact I liked this section as much as the novel, for I always love to read where authors get their ideas from.
A really great little stories for fans of Clarke, and for readers of books by T. Kingfisher or other modern fabulists. An enjoyable short story which adds to the existing work, or could serve as an introduction to a really great author.
I am not sure if it is the hustle-and-bustle of the new century, the increased use of gadgets bringing more misery quickly into our lives, or that I am just getting old, but I am finding more and more that short stories are becoming a big part of my reading life. For the longest time I was sort of against short stories, not that I didn't read them, but I always found short stories, even novellas, well short. If the story was bad brevity couldn't come fast enough. A good story, well I wanted more to spend more time with the characters, see their futures, and their adventures. Now I find myself reading short works, even novellas that start, do their thing, and end, all with a sense of satisfaction for a reader like myself. Especially when the tale expands on works I previously enjoyed. Even more when they are written by an author as talented as this one. The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City is an illustrated short story by Susanna Clarke, detailing important events that set the scene for the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, about a war, a king, a clever bishop and what went on when England fell to the forces of fairy.
Durham is a town surrounded by strong walls, a fast moving river, and has in the past survived many a siege during wartime. This time things are different. The forces they face are those of fairy, who play games with the minds of soldiers, causing them retreat to protection of the walls. Once there, the city is first surrounded by trees, that choke off the city, swallow up lumberjacks, and entrap those inside. Even the river turns against them, tossing boats around, not flowing correctly, and causing mischief to those inside. Ranulf is a Norman, a Bishop of the city and one who knows when he is beaten. Ranulf attempts to surrender, but is not sure who to surrender to. The trees. The river. The birds around them. Ranulf decided to surrender to the new king, and travels to the new capital to do so. However things are not going smooth there either. Intrigue is strong, people fight for power, and Ranulf as Bishop sees another chance at getting a little power for himself. Though he might have to pass through a land of elephants, a moon, and even hell itself to impress his new king.
The story is written as a fable in a way, with trees and birds and fairies, but is grounded in a way that only Clarke can. The story starts quick and keeps moving, dropping hints, and characters familiar from the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. This is the rise of the Raven King, from prisoner to ruler, slave to something more. The writing is really good, immediately putting the reader in a place both familiar and different, yet completely fascinating. The illustrations are similar to an illuminated manuscript, and give the story an otherworld feel, that complements that work. Clarke even adds a bit of explanation, a little bio, a little where the idea came from for this story, and larger work that this is a prelude to. In fact I liked this section as much as the novel, for I always love to read where authors get their ideas from.
A really great little stories for fans of Clarke, and for readers of books by T. Kingfisher or other modern fabulists. An enjoyable short story which adds to the existing work, or could serve as an introduction to a really great author.
October 22, 2026
Another fantastic Susanna Clarke story. Short and simple but so effective. She whisks you away effortlessly to a very real historical England that is imbued with the magic of fairies. It was interesting to get a view into John Uskglass at the beginning of his reign and think about how he became the figure we read about in Strange and Norrell. And also interesting to see the little moments of politicking from both the fairies and the humans. Ranulf was a fun, no-nonsense character! I also loved the illustrations. It gives the story a very illuminated manuscript feel, which was of course perfect given the setting. The short essay at the end was also very interesting.
October 23, 2026
“There is a danger associated with growing up, with putting aside children’s books. We must be careful lest all we are left with is a world that is very much not-alive, a natural world that is mere piles of stuff — stuff that people can use or not use, preserve or destroy, just as they want… Now we need an idea of the natural world as something that has value and life of its own, quite independent of us. This would have been so obvious to peoples in the past that it would not have been worth stating, but two hundred years after the Industrial Revolution our sight has become a little clouded.” - Susanna Clarke in the afterword.
October 10, 2026
As someone who hasn’t read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell I don’t have enough background to truly appreciate this. As such I’m rating it on where I can meet it at and overall this is really quaint. It’s got a heart to it and I really appreciated the writing style. I’ll be eager to reread it after I get to JS&MN.
Review of advance copy
This gorgeously illustrated short story reads like an extended footnote from Jonathan Strange; but anyone who has read Jonathan Strange knows that that book's footnotes are no ordinary footnotes. Whatever keeps the juices flowing, I'm happy and grateful to receive. No one writes like her -- that peculiar style that feels authentically old and absolutely fresh, thought-provoking and mischievous.
October 21, 2026
Susanna Clarke is one of the greatest writers of our day. Though much shorter than Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell it is just as captivating. The print edition is beautiful and the audio performance by Richard Armitage makes the story even more immersive.
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August 7, 2026Review to come October 6th
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October 13, 2026interview with susanna clarke coming next week to npr's weekend edition hopefully
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