'Jonathan Strange' shortlisted

Susanna Clarke's ambitious alternative history novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is among the books shortlisted for the Guardian First Book award, established in 1999 to recognize outstanding debuts.

The winner receives £10,000 and an advertising package within the Guardian and Observer.

The other four books on the list are: Ground Water, by Matthew Hollis; Natasha, by David Bezmozgis; The Places in Between, by Rory Stewart; and Mutants: On the Form, Varieties and Errors of the Human Body, by Armand Marie Leroi.

A panel of eight judges will select the winner on Dec. 1.