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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Nobody’s Magic is a set of three novellas. They are all entirely separate stories with no overlapping characters, but they are unified by a few common features. All three feature young Black women who are at important junctions in their lives, needing to find their way in the world. Suzanne, Maple and Agnes come from very different milieus but all have a connection to Shreveport, Louisiana. Probably the most unique unifying feature is that all three women have albinism. This fact is easy to miss since it is not an overt factor in any of the stories but it nevertheless underpins them all. It’s the reason Suzanne’s father is so overprotective and it explains why Agnes is alienated from her family. The characters were vivid, the sense of place strong and the storytelling compelling.
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Toxic relationship
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
My hold was nearly up but I finished this in time to let the lucky person who was next have their precious time with this book. Destiny Birdsong poured so much love, heart, emotion and character development into this novel and it clearly shows. We learn about three different women who live in Shreveport, Louisiana: Suzette, Maple and Agnes. The common denominator between the trio? They are black women with albinism. I’m thankful that this novel exists. None of them apologize for who they are, it was such a relief to read about black women existing in fiction without having to answer or explain who they were. I didn’t want it to end and I hope to read more from Ms. Birdsong in the future. I only cut off a star because I wanted to learn more since it’s three short stories in one.
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
bookishcori's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying
caseythereader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the free advance copy of this book.
- NOBODY'S MAGIC is essentially three novellas, following these three women (who do not know each other) through periods of upheaval in each of their lives.
- Each story is a meditation: on friendship, on grief, on family. Each woman is trying to find her place, and to be treated as a human worthy of love and respect, not someone to be stared at or collected due to her condition.
- I wanted more time with each woman and would have happily read a full novel on each. Birdsong's prose is transporting and fully immersive.
- NOBODY'S MAGIC is essentially three novellas, following these three women (who do not know each other) through periods of upheaval in each of their lives.
- Each story is a meditation: on friendship, on grief, on family. Each woman is trying to find her place, and to be treated as a human worthy of love and respect, not someone to be stared at or collected due to her condition.
- I wanted more time with each woman and would have happily read a full novel on each. Birdsong's prose is transporting and fully immersive.
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
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