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Magic City Audiobook
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(3.99) - 541 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Hailed as a Favorite Book by the Chicago Tribune and based on true events, Magic City wowed critics and audiences nationwide. In 1921 Tulsa, a white woman and a black man get on an elevator. The woman screams and suddenly the man is on the streets-barely ahead of a lynch mob gathering behind him. Accused of rape, aspiring magician Joe is on the run for a crime he didn't commit-and the woman who's scream implicated Joe must search for the courage to exonerate him.
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"Very cute story with a lot of intriguing twists and turns. It's a bit dated in terms of language, but easy enough to figure out what they mean. I'm a bit disappointed that I never came across this in my childhood, I would have adored it then too! Great for all ages!"
— Ray (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A mystical tale, full of spirits…Rhodes’ exciting and moving novel takes off at a vigorous, lively clip from the first page, plunging through complex ideas and relationships without neglecting any of them.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“A compelling page-turner that will keep readers hoping against hope that everything will somehow, magically, turn out for the best.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution -
“Jewell Park Rhodes’ Magic City takes an ugly chapter of American history and turns it into a human tale of vulnerable people with imperfect motives and skewed vision, people who interact in dire ways with monumental consequences…I could not, would not put this book down, not even after its last searing sentence.”
— Julianne Malveaux, author of Sex, Lies, and Stereotypes -
“We’ve seen Jewell Parker Rhodes use magic before to explore the meanings of, and urge drama from, history, and her approach here to the evocative and outrageous events of 1921 shows us that magic can cut two ways. Rhodes writes about our common human plight with a powerful dramatist’s voice; she has created with Magic City a clear open window on a rueful day.”
— Ron Carlson, author of Plan B for the Middle Class -
“Magic City is a victory against amnesia. One will remember Tulsa, 1921! This book captures the literary magic of a woman who is fast becoming a bright and shining star. Not even Houdini could create more wonder.”
— E. Ethelbert Miller, editor of In Search of Color Everywhere: A Collection of African-American Poetry
Magic City Listener Reviews
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" I would probably give this 3 !/2 stars that would probably have been 4 stars had I read it rather than listening (as much as I could) with the kids while I tried to get them to do their chores. The basic idea is that the toys and books are made into a little city and then the kids get pulled into the city and have a grand adventure...a fun story if you are looking for a book to recommend to children or to read aloud together! "
— Julie, 2/15/2014 -
" I love E. Nesbit. I have yet to be disappointed by one of her books. "
— Lindy, 2/15/2014 -
" Yay, Nesbit! Shouldn't think this'll become a favourite, but was delighted by Nesbit's sense of humour and imagination as always. "
— Zen, 12/2/2013 -
" Nesbit is a master of crafting a world of magic and wonder. Definitely a great bedtime story for young school-aged kids, I think. Near the end, it sure could finish at many points, but instead goes on and on. "
— Emily, 11/25/2013 -
" OOOH!! I loved this book. It's good old-fashioned fantasy of the best kind. It's all about imagination with a little bit of the usual difficulties thrown in and, of course, a very happy ending. If you are a Nesbit fan and haven't read this yet, please do. "
— Barbara, 11/1/2013 -
" This was excellent. An enchanting story by an excellent reader. Ruth is one of Librivox's best - and its all available for free from archive dot com. "
— alibrivoxfan, 10/24/2013 -
" A really fun children's book. Great to read since it's hard to find. There are some strange lines that appear out of place in the book, but for a free book it's worth a shot if you enjoy children's fantasy books. "
— Robbin, 10/20/2013 -
" Published in 1910, it established many ideas taken up again by later fantasies, like Tom's Midnight Garden and Knight's Castle. "
— Emily, 10/1/2013 -
" Delightful! :) "
— Diana, 7/30/2013 -
" I loved this book!!! I picked it up and almost didn't put it down until I went to bed but sadly I had to eat and do other things but I finished it in about 3 days!!!!Its a wonderful book I love it!!! ~ Hannah 2/10/12 "
— Pam, 5/30/2013 -
" Read this when I was younger. An ok read but I always found the main characters to be miniature adults..a little too wellbehaved.But I guess its something to do with the era wich it was written. "
— Kagama-the, 3/2/2013 -
" Another gem from one of our favorite authors. Full of adventure and fun images. "
— Michelle, 12/25/2011 -
" This was brilliantly written and the whole idea of making a toy city and having it turn to life is wonderful. One of her best. "
— Andrew, 9/26/2011 -
" Read with daughter, she couldn't get into it. Finished it on my own. Rereading it in less than seven months later on might raise the rating a bit :) "
— Thom, 8/23/2011 -
" One of Nesbit's weaker novels. I consider the Railway Children to be her best written book, followed by the Treasure Seekers series (the Treasure Seekers, the Wouldbegoods, etc...), then the Psammead series (Five Children and It, the Phoenix and the Carpet, and the Amulet). "
— AP, 7/29/2011 -
" I'd never heard of this title until I came across it in a used book store. It's rather a clever fantasy, written with Nesbit's usual good humor. "
— Laurie, 4/20/2011 -
" I don't really remember what it was about, except for that I read it in, like, first grade and loved it. And I love E. Nesbit, so I'm sure it was amazing. "
— Brigid, 11/25/2010 -
" This isn't Nesbit's greatest book, but it's still highly entertaining, and shows clearly the kind of debt that later children's authors owe her: Lemony Snicket especially resembles her style in this book. "
— Lorin, 7/12/2010 -
" I loved how Philip entered a city of blocks, was assigned seven deeds, completed them, and saved a girl named Lucy. This book had a lot of adventure. "
— Avalon, 4/3/2010 -
" This is really a great book. And the relationship between the boy and stepsister is fun to watch grow. "
— Frank, 3/29/2010 -
" A charming adventure for children of all ages. "
— JB, 11/10/2009 -
" An enjoyable read for child and adult. A little dated in its language, but a good read none-the-less. The Kidz enjoyed it too. "
— Daniel, 10/29/2009
About Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes is the author of six adult novels, two writing guides, and seven books for youth. She has won the American Book Award, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, and the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award. She is the founding artistic director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and the narrative studies professor and Virginia G. Piper Endowed Chair at Arizona State University. She was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Carnegie-Mellon University
About Cherise Boothe
Cherise Boothe, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has worked extensively in theater, film, television, and narration. She has appeared in numerous regional plays, as well as in television shows such as The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU, and Gossip Girl. She holds an MFA in acting from New York University. She was a finalist in 2015 for the prestigious Audie Award for best multivoiced narration.