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Magician: Stories

Eleven stories depict ordinary people of all ages trying to make the right decision in difficult, and unexpected circumstances

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

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Peter Turchi

20 books28 followers

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Profile Image for Justin Tate.
Author 7 books1,571 followers
December 25, 2015
Turchi has the extraordinary ability to lead the reader in one direction, only hinting at the true significance, until the end where you just have to sit back, drink a cup of coffee, and reflect on the flow, pacing, and characterization that foreshadowed the conclusion of each fantastic tale. Each story is about people we relate to, about situations we understand, and yet they are filled with illusions and trickery, aptly enhancing the collection's title and the uniqueness Turchi offers to the short story genre.

The writing itself is well thought out and satisfying, but hard to place. It's intelligent and timeless like Hemingway, but even more crisp, like Capote, and yet much more modern, like a Koontz or similar pop writer.

Despite its age, I was surprised by how relevant this collection felt. The characters aren't running around with cell phones, but other than that they are the same people I know today, they share similar feelings and emotions as myself and people I know. They even seem trendy at times! You understand them, or think you do, and for this collection that’s important.

Overall, I can't go on enough how much I enjoyed reading these short stories. "Alligator" was my personal favorite of the bunch, but "Everything I Need" "False Spring" and "Restless Sleep" were close follow-ups and all were enjoyable in some way. Short, sweet, and artistic, reading these stories remind us why not so long ago it was books that inspired us and were the topic of discussion as opposed to internet and the movies. Much to the dismay of my friends, I found myself spouting on and on about "Alligator" and how shocked I was at the end. However, I think even they would understand my obsession if they had read it themselves.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review