The Wood at Midwinter

Susanna Clarke is a British author, born in Nottingham in 1959. Since 2004—when she published her debut novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell— Clarke has been widely celebrated for her ability to blend fantasy, history, and folklore into richly atmospheric narratives. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and established Clarke as a leading voice in the genre of historical fantasy. Clarke’s work often explores themes of magic, the supernatural, and the interplay between human and mystical realms, all set inside meticulously researched historical timeframes. Through her commitment to crafting convincing magical traditions and richly detailed worlds, Clarke continues to “expand the boundaries” of fantasy literature (“Susanna Clarke.” British Council, 2024).

Clarke studied the undergraduate course PPE (philosophy, politics, and economics) at Oxford before embarking on a career in publishing. This academic and professional training can be traced in Clarke’s fiction. Clarke is particularly interested in the early 19th century; the Georgian English setting of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is carried over into “The Wood at Midwinter.” Though a much shorter work, this tale maintains Clarke’s signature