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Magic Time: A Novel Audiobook, by Doug Marlette Play Audiobook Sample

Magic Time: A Novel Audiobook

Magic Time: A Novel Audiobook, by Doug Marlette Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: L. J. Ganser Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 12.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 9.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781440742828

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

32

Longest Chapter Length:

57:08 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:34 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

33:32 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

Acclaimed North Carolina author Doug Marlette has won numerous prestigious awards-including the Pulitzer-for his cartoon work. Set during the Freedom Summer of 1964, his novel Magic Time "vividly capture[s] the spirit of history that animated those of us who were part of that extraordinary time," says congressman John Lewis. New York City newspaper columnist Carter Ransom returns home to Mississippi to face his difficult past, his father's unwavering disapproval, and new evidence in a 25-year-old bombing case.

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"I thought this book was very good and had a hard time putting it down--stayed up until early hours of the morning finishing it. The time shifts between a terrorist bombing in New York City back to a church burning in Troy, Mississippi in 1964. The plot centers around convicting an ex Ku Klux Klan grand master of ordering the church burning and the murders of four Civil Rights workers in that church at the time of the burning. Lots of buried secrets are dug up and exposed."

— Mary (5 out of 5 stars)

Magic Time Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5277777777777777 out of 53.5277777777777777 out of 53.5277777777777777 out of 53.5277777777777777 out of 53.5277777777777777 out of 5 (3.53)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 13
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great follow-up read to the nonfiction book, Freedom Riders! "

    — Deanna, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved Marlette's cartoons. This novel? Not so much. Seemed a little too sentimental in that Southern/baby boomer kind of way. "

    — John, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It was very heavy in violence, but I have learned a lot about American Civil Rights movement, being a naturalized American myself. It is pretty graphic, so, be ready if you decide to read it. "

    — Aksana, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This story takes place during the civil rights era. It educated me in more detail about some of the events that occurred during that period of time. It is very well written with believable characters and events. "

    — Sheila, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I absolutely loved this book, except for about 10 pages near the end, which were just too unbelievable and overly theatrical. If you can ignore them, I'd recommend this book. It's a shame this author died so young "

    — Betsy, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book over a long period of time, but enjoyed the glimpse into the racial struggles in the south. "

    — Ginger, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Overall, I really like this book, although there were parts that did really drag on. Still, it was a good fictionalized account of Freedom Summer during the Civil Rights Era in the South. I may actually include this in my syllabus next time I teach social movements. "

    — Christina, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Doug Marlette was a very sweet and funny man. He came to my book club to answer our questions about his book and he was so thrilled to talk to people about it. He will be terribly missed. "

    — Cady, 11/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this for book club. Great novel; not one that I would have chosen to read, but I enjoyed it. A historical fiction set in the 1990's and 1960's South. "

    — Ann, 11/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good if you are into 60s civil rights issues... "

    — Katie, 11/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It is never a good sign when I have to repeatedly force myself to keep reading a book club book. Skip this one. "

    — Toby, 10/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another good one from Marlette. Set in the south during civil rights clashes. "

    — Kim, 10/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It was okay good but everything wrapped up to neatly, too happily for such a tragic plotline. Where's the angst? "

    — Heidi, 8/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This story, about the civil rights era, and the pain wrought by the murder of a loved one (not to give anything away). Some of the story seemed a bit too easily tied together, but I enjoyed it. "

    — Jim, 6/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a gripping story and seamlessly blended past and present as the Carter had flashbacks to that summer in 1964. The characters were well-drawn and likeable, although since it is a southern novel, there is a large cast of characters. "

    — Alissa, 5/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Engaging read about a very painful time in our recent history. "

    — Cynthia, 5/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " enjoyed this one very much "

    — Rebecca, 1/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Vivid depiction of the time, even if characters are somewhat stereotypic. Couldn't put it down. You read with interest as layer after layer peeled away. "

    — Carol, 12/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I liked this work of historical fiction set in the Civil Rights movement in the South. Although sometimes I couldn't keep up with the names of some of the minor characters and their role in the story. "

    — Mary, 11/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wow. This made me mad, sad, and happy throughout the book. It's definitely something I would read again. "

    — Amy, 11/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wonderful book if you like historical fiction about the south. "

    — John, 3/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A novel that incorporates the history of the Southern Civil Rights movement of the 1960's. "

    — Nancy, 1/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A novel about the Freedom Riders. I'm just a little tired of the born Southern journalist gone to New York and returning to the South cliche. "

    — George, 12/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A novel about the Freedom Riders. I'm just a little tired of the born Southern journalist gone to New York and returning to the South cliche. "

    — George, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Vivid depiction of the time, even if characters are somewhat stereotypic. Couldn't put it down. You read with interest as layer after layer peeled away. "

    — Carol, 1/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wow. This made me mad, sad, and happy throughout the book. It's definitely something I would read again. "

    — Amy, 12/29/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book over a long period of time, but enjoyed the glimpse into the racial struggles in the south. "

    — Ginger, 5/22/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another good one from Marlette. Set in the south during civil rights clashes. "

    — Kim, 3/24/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a gripping story and seamlessly blended past and present as the Carter had flashbacks to that summer in 1964. The characters were well-drawn and likeable, although since it is a southern novel, there is a large cast of characters. <br/> <br/> "

    — Alissa, 11/26/2008
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Engaging read about a very painful time in our recent history. "

    — Cynthia, 10/20/2008
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wonderful book if you like historical fiction about the south. "

    — John, 8/13/2008
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This story takes place during the civil rights era. It educated me in more detail about some of the events that occurred during that period of time. It is very well written with believable characters and events. "

    — Sheila, 7/22/2008
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A novel that incorporates the history of the Southern Civil Rights movement of the 1960's. "

    — Nancy, 7/13/2008
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this for book club. Great novel; not one that I would have chosen to read, but I enjoyed it. A historical fiction set in the 1990's and 1960's South. "

    — Ann, 7/4/2008
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Doug Marlette was a very sweet and funny man. He came to my book club to answer our questions about his book and he was so thrilled to talk to people about it. He will be terribly missed. "

    — Cady, 4/24/2008
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good if you are into 60s civil rights issues... "

    — Katie, 4/13/2008

About L. J. Ganser

L. J. Ganser is a multiple Audie Award–winning narrator with over six hundred titles recorded to date. Prized for versatility, his work ranges from preschool books to crime noir thrillers, from astronomical adventures in both science and science fiction, to Arctic Circle high school basketball stories. He lives in New York City with his family and dog, Mars.