Do you believe in magic? If you don’t, then you certainly will by the end of this book.
While not as bizarre or dark as The Exploding Book, this novel is certainly odd and unpredictable. It’s narrated by Charlie Watson, who’s not particularly smart but has a good heart and a cheerful disposition. He was adopted by a magician and is obsessed with magic. His home is full of rabbits. He wears a magician outfit. When he goes to see a magic show and falls for the magician’s assistant, events begin to get weirder…
Charlie is a character you can’t help liking. The book begins intriguingly with a magician-themed creation myth, interspersed with Charlie’s eccentric imaginary conversations. The concept of magic is really the focus of the narrative. It becomes a way of describing life force, matter, the fabric of the universe. I’ve never been a fan of what we might call the ‘traditional’ magic show, so I did find the descriptions of the shows to be the least interesting aspect of the novel. I was more interested in the twists and turns of the story. It’s not a book I’ll forget, that’s for sure.
Thank you to Jay at StrangeBooks for the review copy. Magic is available now from Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.
Now that sounds right up my street. That’ll be on my kindle by the end of the week. Stupid question but have you read any Jim Butcher novels? I assume you have. If not the Dresden books are a good read. Magic Noir. Sam Spade with a shade of Gandalf the Grey.
Thanks for reading my review – if you get the book, I hope you like it. I haven’t read any Jim Butcher novels (it’s not a stupid question at all), they are not quite my kind of thing, however I can see that a lot of people would enjoy them.
Fab review!
Thanks! ♥
Like you, I’d be more interested in the other aspects as magic is not my thing. Great review! x
Thanks for reading 🙂 I find the traditional magic show a bit creepy (not that I’ve seen one for real, but of course I know them from TV), this book has more to it however and is certainly unique.
Glad you enjoyed this book, NS! If my memory serves me well, I remember you reading one of his books before? I’m assuming you enjoy this one more? 🙂
Yes I read The Exploding Book (which I was also offered for review), I wouldn’t say I liked one more than the other, Magic was less bizarre though.