A review by katymul
Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The first time I read this book, I enjoyed most of the stories, but only two entered my list of favorite Kelly Link stories (I'm partial to "The Wrong Dead Girl" and her Pretty Monsters collection). The second time through, looking for details to pull for an embroidered book cover gift (I design and embroider new covers for friends), I couldn't help marveling at how the stories were subtly connected. What I think of as the signature Kelly Link "holes in the narratives" that she refuses to fill seem almost-but-not-quite filled by the other stories...which just enhances that sense that I'm not quite wrapping my mind around her full meaning but I could if I just...

It's a brilliant collection, well-written and surreal and intriguing. Well worth obsessing over...and they will make you obsess over them.