I just finished Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. The story is about an alternate reality where magic and faries are (or were) real and their existance was never doubted. It takes place in early 19th century England, a time which hasn’t seen any magicians for well over a hundred years, until now. The story centers on the first new practical magician, Mr. Gilbert Norrell, and later on his headstrong apprentice Jonathan Strange. The two characters have a love/hate working relationship with each other over their opinions of “English Magic”, and eventually go their seperate ways, battling it out in print, rather then with spells.
The book starts slow, gets better as it goes along, but does keep your interest. It is not as good in my opinion as the hype I’ve heard (online and from a friend). Its worth reading, but I would recommend borrowing it, rather then buying it (at least in hardcover).
“an alternate reality where magic and faries are (or were) real” By alternate reality you mean San Francisco?