literary-preciousness

Mr Norrell's deep concern for the safety and sanctity of magical books underscores the theme of books as treasured and vulnerable objects.

1 chapter across 1 book

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (2004)Susanna Clarke

Chapter 53

In this chapter, Jonathan Strange prepares to depart for the Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars, negotiating with Mr Norrell and Lord Liverpool about the logistics of taking forty magical books into a war zone. The discussion reveals Mr Norrell's anxiety over the safety of the books and the practical challenges of military life. Upon arrival in Lisbon, Strange encounters the realities of war and the elusive nature of Lord Wellington's whereabouts, highlighting his unfamiliarity with military customs and the complexity of the campaign.