The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City
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Pub Date Oct 20 2026 | Archive Date Oct 19 2026
Bloomsbury USA | Bloomsbury Publishing
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Description
From the bestselling and prize-winning author of Piranesi, an enchanting, beautifully illustrated 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, featuring beautiful illustrations throughout.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781639739813 |
| PRICE | $16.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 96 |
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Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.orgAverage rating from 35 members
Featured Reviews
Emily D, Librarian
I really enjoyed The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City. It felt like stepping back into the strange and wonderfully atmospheric world of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and I especially enjoyed the mix of medieval history, fairy magic, and Clarke’s dry humor. Ranulf was such an entertaining character to follow, and I liked how his political ambitions mixed with the much stranger world he finds himself in. It’s a short read, but it still manages to feel immersive and full of that very particular Susanna Clarke atmosphere. I work in a public library and do reader’s advisory, and I would definitely recommend this to fans of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Piranesi, and readers who enjoy historical fantasy with unusual magic and a slightly eerie atmosphere.
Librarian 184370
There is nothing that Susanna Clarke writes that I will not read, and this is a wonderful example why. Full of beautiful illustrations and a story to match, THE BISHOP OF DURHAM ATTEMPTS TO SURRENDER THE CITY focuses on a beloved character of the Raven King.
Veronica K, Librarian
What a beautiful little fairytale of a book! The illustrations are incredible and really complete the atmosphere. I love the attention to detail even in the typeset. I have read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, but probably twenty years ago by now so I don’t remember much; you don’t need to have in order to enjoy the story.
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