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hollyannsa's review against another edition
I had a really hard time with this book and actually started it more than once. I might try it again another time.
karenllowe's review
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Based on a true person.
cynthiaelyseeh's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
hollandsays's review against another edition
3.0
NOTES TO SELF / NOT A REVIEW:
family goes on road for her to perform / Little Leo left behind / gave to SW person
family goes on road for her to perform / Little Leo left behind / gave to SW person
fern17's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
naturallydeanna's review against another edition
4.0
so far 2020 I've been reading a couple of historical fiction books which is outside of my comfort zone. I was not disappointed and completely fascinated with Magnetic Girl.
writerrhiannon's review against another edition
5.0
**This review was featured in the May issue of Alpharetta Lifestyle magazine**
Read it here: https://issuu.com/lifestylepubs/docs/alpharetta_2019_5_print/14
Acclaimed Atlanta Author Makes Fiction Debut
Jessica Handler’s The Magnetic Girl transports readers to an electrifying era of American history
Thirteen-year-old Lulu Hurst shares a special connection with her disabled younger brother Leo, but she has big dreams of a future far away from her rural north Georgia home—a future where she will not become her brother’s sole caregiver. Yearning to see the world and thankful for her ability to change her family’s dire financial situation, Lulu agrees to follow her father’s plan to capitalize on America’s newfound fascination with Spiritualism, Mesmerism, Magnetism, and electricity. Claiming Lulu can pass electricity through canes and throw men out of chairs with an “electrical charge” which she came to possess from a lightning storm over their house, Lulu and her parents take “The Magnetic Girl” on the road. While traveling by train to perform to enthusiastic crowds from the vaudeville stages along the Eastern seaboard, Lulu absorbs every new experience while reading an obscure book from her father’s study, The Truth of Mesmeric Influence. Convinced she can move beyond her current “marks” and parlor tricks to apply the secrets from the book to heal people, Lulu wants to change the act, but will her father agree?
Imagine the split second before the dice finish rolling, before a tipped back chair rights itself, or before the sleight of hand is slyly applied. You may ask yourself “what is the most likely possibility?" but you must also acknowledge the disconnect between your mind’s logic and your heart’s will to believe. The Magnetic Girl magically exists in that single breath when fates are decided. Full of family secrets, sacrifices, fame, and greed The Magnetic Girl will transport you to a late 1880s America where curiosity, dreams, and delusions challenged people’s beliefs at every turn. Author Jessica Handler’s spectacular talent for portraying the unique complexities of girls and women shines through in her telling of the journey of Lulu Hurst “The Georgia Wonder.” From awkward and outcast farm girl to captivating vaudeville star, Lulu discovers her power over her patrons, parents, and most importantly within herself.
Jessica Handler is the author of Braving the Fire: A Guide to Writing About Grief and Invisible Sisters: A Memoir. The Magnetic Girl, Handler’s debut fiction novel, has already received accolades from multiple fellow authors and publications, a starred Kirkus review, and is the first selection of Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain Fund Book Series.
Read it here: https://issuu.com/lifestylepubs/docs/alpharetta_2019_5_print/14
Acclaimed Atlanta Author Makes Fiction Debut
Jessica Handler’s The Magnetic Girl transports readers to an electrifying era of American history
Thirteen-year-old Lulu Hurst shares a special connection with her disabled younger brother Leo, but she has big dreams of a future far away from her rural north Georgia home—a future where she will not become her brother’s sole caregiver. Yearning to see the world and thankful for her ability to change her family’s dire financial situation, Lulu agrees to follow her father’s plan to capitalize on America’s newfound fascination with Spiritualism, Mesmerism, Magnetism, and electricity. Claiming Lulu can pass electricity through canes and throw men out of chairs with an “electrical charge” which she came to possess from a lightning storm over their house, Lulu and her parents take “The Magnetic Girl” on the road. While traveling by train to perform to enthusiastic crowds from the vaudeville stages along the Eastern seaboard, Lulu absorbs every new experience while reading an obscure book from her father’s study, The Truth of Mesmeric Influence. Convinced she can move beyond her current “marks” and parlor tricks to apply the secrets from the book to heal people, Lulu wants to change the act, but will her father agree?
Imagine the split second before the dice finish rolling, before a tipped back chair rights itself, or before the sleight of hand is slyly applied. You may ask yourself “what is the most likely possibility?" but you must also acknowledge the disconnect between your mind’s logic and your heart’s will to believe. The Magnetic Girl magically exists in that single breath when fates are decided. Full of family secrets, sacrifices, fame, and greed The Magnetic Girl will transport you to a late 1880s America where curiosity, dreams, and delusions challenged people’s beliefs at every turn. Author Jessica Handler’s spectacular talent for portraying the unique complexities of girls and women shines through in her telling of the journey of Lulu Hurst “The Georgia Wonder.” From awkward and outcast farm girl to captivating vaudeville star, Lulu discovers her power over her patrons, parents, and most importantly within herself.
Jessica Handler is the author of Braving the Fire: A Guide to Writing About Grief and Invisible Sisters: A Memoir. The Magnetic Girl, Handler’s debut fiction novel, has already received accolades from multiple fellow authors and publications, a starred Kirkus review, and is the first selection of Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain Fund Book Series.
invaderlinz's review against another edition
3.0
I want to first thank Hub City Press and the lovely ladies there for gifting me this book! I was entranced by Lulu's tale and really loved the layout and cover art of this book. I only had a few minor issues that had to do with proofreading errors (words missing, dates wrong) which is what gives this a 3.5 for me, but otherwise I did enjoy this book. It took a while for me to get going in it, but once I did I didn't want to stop. I feel like this is the same way that Lulu feels, learning about her magnetism and mesmerism. I liked that the author's note explained a little more about what this book is about, and that a lot of these people and events are historical and factual. I really enjoy historical fiction, and I actually wish that more of that was part of the description of the book. I found it interesting how Lulu's father's story comes into play throughout her own, and I felt that it added some depth and dimension that Lulu's story couldn't have yet because she is a young woman when this takes place.