These are sophisticated times in the west. In Australia, just as in other western countries such as USA, Canada, UK, NZ, magic and tales of fay deeds are the realm of childrens fantasy. J K Rowling has been responsible for moving the genre solidly into the teenage bracket but most "grown-ups" still regard faeries with distain.

This is a relatively modern phenonemon. Faeries were not necessarily tiny cute winged creatures that lived at the bottom of the garden and captivated young girls, they were once great and powerful. Faerie warriors were magnificent and awe inspiring. As they past mortal men fell to the ground in terror of their majesty and power. In times gone by tales of faerie were for adult consumption.

The strength of the faerie story is in its ability to explore the deeper reaches of the human pysche. To tap into those primal aspects of the human brain that gave form to The Green Man. For those with the intellectual strength to undertake a journey into this domain ancient, forgotten corners of our psyche are accessible for exploration. Many of you who feel threatened by this alternate reality will dismiss it as foolishness but there is much to be learned in the fay realms.

The adult faerie story is a genre seldom visited these days however, in her new novel, ''Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell,'' Susanna Clarke has reentered this inspiring domain. Set in London at the time of the Napoleonic Wars it chronicles the lives of two gentlemen wizards. Mr. Norrell is an intellectual wizard whose actions are considered and responsible. As a counterpoint his pupil is the dilettante Jonathan Strange.

This is an intricate adult tale of dueling wizards with the complexity of story structure and narrative to engage an adult reader. Set in Regency England in the 19th century it provides an interesting social commentary on the contemporary mores and the publics fascination notoriety, the cultivation of social status. Hmmm that bit of our culture hasn't changed that much has it?