"Will do magic for small change" How often have we seen these words scrawled on a shabby sign held by a street performer? It captures the essence of a bygone era, when magic was a captivating spectacle that could be witnessed for the price of pocket change. In today's world, the idea of magic has evolved. It is no longer solely confined to street performers or stage shows. Magic has found its way into our everyday lives, often disguised as advanced technology or awe-inspiring scientific discoveries. However, the underlying concept remains the same - the ability to create wonder and amazement. But what about the idea of performing magic for small change? Does it devalue the artistry and skill that goes into creating a magical experience? Some may argue that it cheapens the craft, reducing it to a mere parlor trick.
There is, of course, far more to Will Do Magic for Small Change than this. Some of it I’m still sorting out. There were parts of The Chronicles’s plot that felt scattered and disjointed, and I couldn’t tell if I wasn’t reading carefully enough, or if there were things that were missing on purpose. Why is it that Kehinde and the Wanderer decide to go to Chicago? Is it because of the World’s Fair? Because of something they’ve read? It’s unclear. But, just as in the Cinnamon sections of the book, the strength of the relationship between Kehinde and the Wanderer (as well as with some of the other characters they meet) is a core strong enough to support everything else.
She has to measure how far she can go with her new friends, and occasionally steps over the boundaries, which proves that the possibility of messing up exists, at least to an extent. The Wanderer does this in front of Kehinde, an ahosi king s wife, warrior woman in Dahomey, West Africa, 1892, who is fleeing the king for loving another man.
But what about the idea of performing magic for small change? Does it devalue the artistry and skill that goes into creating a magical experience? Some may argue that it cheapens the craft, reducing it to a mere parlor trick. However, others see it as a testament to the universality of magic, bridging the gap between performer and spectator, regardless of financial status. At its core, the phrase "will do magic for small change" speaks to the accessibility of magic.
Will Do Magic for Small Change
Hairston (Mindscape) brews up a potent blend of West African religion and history, magic, science fiction, theater, and the life of one Pittsburgh teen in the 1980s. The curtain opens with Cinnamon Jones at the funeral for her half-brother, Sekou, who has died of an overdose and left her as the Guardian of a book called simply The Chronicles, which gives the history of the Wanderer. The Wanderer is an extradimensional being who first materialized in embattled Dahomey, a kingdom in West Africa, in 1892, and whose story is gradually revealed to Cinnamon as she reads the book. Three years later, she introduces two other teens, Klaus Beckenbauer and Marie Masuda, to The Chronicles; they read it together and resolve to reunite the aspects of the Wanderer that have been scattered. The three adolescents discover love and mystery while being supported by Sekou’s shade and the spirit-filled elders of Cinnamon’s family. The glory of West Africa’s orishas pulses off the pages, as does the weird power of the Wanderer, an unusual take on an alien life form. The entire work is filled with magic, celebrating West Africans, Native Americans, art, and love that transcends simple binary genders. Hairston’s novel is a completely original and stunning work. Agent: Kristopher O’Higgins, Scribe Agency. (June)
DETAILS share BUY THIS BOOK close DetailsReviewed on: 04/18/2016
Hardcover - 464 pages - 978-1-250-80873-8
Paperback - 464 pages - 978-1-250-80874-5
Andrea Hairston’s Will Do Magic for Small Change alternates between two narratives, both of which are full enough to be their own novels. One of these is set in 1980s Pittsburgh, where Cinnamon Jones has to cope with the recent suicide of her brother, Sekou. The second narrative, which is set in the 1890s and moves through parts of West Africa, France, and America, is contained within a mysterious book called The Chronicles that Cinnamon spends much of her narrative reading. Cinnamon is lonely and fits in nowhere—she’s smart and observant, which means she tends to ask questions and voice opinions that people don’t like, and “theatrically challenged” (which means that she’s too tall and too heavy to be cast in plays, even though she’s a powerhouse). Her mother, Opal, is dealing with a bevy of issues, and Cinnamon takes inspiration from the other adults in her life: her grandparents, Redwood and Aidan, “theater people” who’ve traveled the world and who do hoodoo[1]; Redwood’s sister Iris, an Oberlin professor obsessed with textiles who writes Cinnamon letters (and who wrote Sekou, too); and Star Deer, dancer extraordinaire and substitute math teacher. The figure that’s missing is Cinnamon’s father, Raven Cooper, who’s in a coma after jumping in front of a bullet that was meant for a lesbian couple.
It reminds us that moments of enchantment and wonder are not reserved for the wealthy or privileged. Instead, they are available to anyone willing to embrace the magic around them, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In a world that often values material wealth and extravagance, the idea of magic for small change serves as a reminder of the power of simplicity and the joy that can be found in the unexpected. It invites us to rekindle our sense of childlike wonder and embrace the extraordinary in the ordinary. So, next time you encounter a street performer with a sign that reads "will do magic for small change," consider stopping to watch. Take a moment to appreciate the artistry and skill that goes into creating a magical experience. And perhaps, in the process, you may rediscover the magic that lies within your own life, waiting to be unlocked..
Reviews for "The Wizardry of Small Change: Unlocking the Secrets to a Magical Life"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Will do magic for small change". The story started off promising, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The characters lacked depth and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The writing style was also a bit disjointed and made it hard to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 3/5 stars - While "Will do magic for small change" had an intriguing premise, I felt that it fell short in execution. The plot was slow-moving and at times confusing. The transitions between different storylines and time periods were abrupt and left me feeling disoriented. Additionally, the characters felt underdeveloped and lacked depth. There were moments of brilliance in the storytelling, but unfortunately, they were overshadowed by the overall disjointed nature of the book. I had high hopes for this novel but ultimately found it to be a disappointing read.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I struggled to get through "Will do magic for small change". The story felt overly complicated and the pacing was incredibly slow. I found myself losing interest multiple times and it took a lot of effort to push through and finish the book. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real personality. The writing style also didn't resonate with me, as it felt clunky and awkward at times. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others as it was a tedious and unenjoyable read.