The Magic by Rhonda Byrne is a self-help book that aims to guide its readers towards a more positive and fulfilling life. The book is a continuation of Byrne's best-selling book, The Secret. In The Magic, Byrne focuses on the power of gratitude and the impact it can have on our lives. Byrne introduces the concept of a 28-day gratitude practice, where readers are encouraged to actively practice gratitude in their daily lives. The book is divided into 28 chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of gratitude. The chapters provide practical exercises and guidance for incorporating gratitude into different areas of our lives, such as relationships, health, and finances.
Written by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess and Paul Johnson
Lettered by Todd Klein
From Neil Gaiman comes a tale of the dangers and opportunities of youth, reprinted the original four-issue miniseries. Timothy Hunter could be the most powerful magician in the world, but does he really want to be? John Constantine, Phantom Stranger, Mister E, and Doctor Occult attempt to aid Timothy in choosing his path, but by the time Timothy makes a choice, it may already have been made for him.
This makes the comic a bit hard to sell for new readers, even though The Books of Magic was published years before readers were introduced to Hogwarts. The more defined lines and friendlier colors are reminiscent of old storybook illustrations, but just like old fairytales, there is a sinister edge to this Fairy Land too.
The chapters provide practical exercises and guidance for incorporating gratitude into different areas of our lives, such as relationships, health, and finances. Throughout the book, Byrne emphasizes the importance of gratitude as a transformative tool. She suggests that gratitude has the power to shift our mindset from a state of lack to a state of abundance.
The Books of Magic – Gaiman’s Graphic Sorcery
Neil Gaiman’s The Books of Magic lives up to its name. Combining Gaiman’s distinct charm with illustrations by John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess, and Paul Johnson, Magic stands as a narrative wonder among the pantheon of amazing graphic novels. In fact, published in 1993, it may have built the foundation on which some of the medium’s best work stands.
I encountered The Books of Magic after a lengthy discussion with a friend about the Harry Potter series during which he called out certain similarities between the stories. I usually wouldn’t mention this in my review, but it seems this is a common question among Potterheads looking to dive into Gaiman’s graphic novel. Perhaps significantly, The Books of Magic predates the first Harry Potter book by about five years, and there are a few notable similarities. Tim Hunter, the graphic novel’s protagonist, has dark hair and glasses. Early on, he’s given an owl by an older magician. Both of these facts become apparent right from the start, but the parallels pretty much end there.
Following a quick and mysterious intro that establishes Timothy’s potential to be an immensely powerful wizard, he’s whisked into a crazy adventure by four magicians who all wear trench coats. He explores the past, the present, the future, and Fairyland, each time with a separate mage companion. The entire plot is staged as a sort of “magical preview,” and when he’s through with the journey, Tim must decide whether he wants to pursue magic further. Boiled down to its bare bones, the story is essentially Timothy watching a trailer for a fascinating, real-life movie, then must decide whether to watch the feature film.
The plot, paired with brilliant illustrative work and Todd Klein’s diverse lettering, make The Books of Magic a feast for the eyes and mind. Tim’s journeys through time and reality are beautifully imaginative, and they leap off the page with the help of Gaiman’s typical (but still somehow unbelievable) panache. The past, present, and future as they relate to magic are fascinating “locales” worthy of the pages-long explorations they receive. Fairyland, though, plays the starring role. An amalgamation of countless worlds including Hell, the dream world (inhabited by Gaiman’s Sandman, who makes a cameo), and many others, Fairyland and its whimsical reality-bending branches shine through in text and drawing alike, culminating in a downright gorgeous romp through Gaiman’s fantasy-genius imagination.
The story and setting are bolstered by a quirky cast of characters, many of whom have appeared in other DC series. In the visual medium, the lack of physical space for text places much of the characterization burden on the artist, and each illustrator in The Books of Magic showcases talents that well surpassed even my highest expectations. They treat every illustration with such care that I often found myself lingering on the artwork for minutes at a time, absorbing the detail admiring the artistic skill on display.
The Books of Magic builds to an explosive and, I have to say it—magical—ending that mostly pays off. Tim’s journey comes to a meaningful and sensible conclusion, but it does lean heavily on a loophole that felt either cheap or unearned—I honestly can’t decide between the two. Still, it did little to detract from the fantastic story that preceded it. In some ways, the story feels like a prequel to a much longer saga, and that’s partly true. While Gaiman’s novel stands alone, it did continue under new penmanship years later. I left The Books of Magic so enamored that I bought the continuation, and I can’t wait to dive in.
Rating: The Books of Magic – 8.5/10
-Cole
Rating: The Books of Magic – 8.5/10
-Cole
By cultivating gratitude, we can tap into the universal law of attraction and attract more positive experiences and opportunities into our lives. Byrne asserts that by expressing gratitude, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that extends beyond ourselves and impacts our relationships and the world around us. The Magic is filled with personal anecdotes and stories from individuals who have experienced the transformative power of gratitude. These stories serve as inspiration and proof of the effectiveness of gratitude in creating positive change. Byrne also provides scientific evidence and research to support her claims about the benefits of gratitude. Overall, The Magic is a practical guide for anyone seeking to improve their mindset and find more fulfillment in life. It offers a step-by-step approach to incorporating gratitude into daily practice, allowing readers to experience the magic of gratitude for themselves..
Reviews for "Transforming Relationships with 'The Magic' by Rhonda Byrne"
1. Jaden - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne. The book seemed more like a repetitive and overhyped self-help guide than anything else. It lacked depth and substance, and I found it hard to connect with the author's ideas. The exercises felt forced and unrealistic, and I didn't see any practical application in my own life. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for genuine personal growth and transformation.
2. Sara - 1 star
"The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne was a big letdown for me. I found the book to be overly simplistic and overly optimistic, bordering on naive. The author's constant emphasis on gratitude became tiresome and repetitive, and I didn't feel like it was providing me with any new or groundbreaking insights. The exercises seemed like a chore rather than a meaningful practice, and I struggled to maintain interest throughout the chapters. I believe there are far better self-help books out there that offer more valuable guidance and strategies.
3. Mark - 2 stars
I was unimpressed with "The Magic." Rhonda Byrne's writing style is uninspiring and lacks authenticity. The book felt like a rehash of ideas already presented in her previous works, such as "The Secret." The daily exercises were tedious and often felt forced, making it difficult to remain engaged. Additionally, the excessive emphasis on positive thinking and gratitude felt unrealistic and disconnected from the real world. Overall, I felt like "The Magic" offered nothing new or valuable to the field of personal development.