Magic Time is a novel written by Doug Marlette, published in 2006. The story takes place in the town of Tecumseh, Mississippi, during the summer of 1964. It revolves around the character of Carter Ransom, a young newspaper reporter, who is assigned to cover the Civil Rights Movement in the deep South. The main idea of the novel is the contrast between the idyllic small-town life and the harsh realities of racism and violence that existed during that time. Marlette skillfully depicts the tension and conflicts within the community as the Civil Rights movement comes to Tecumseh. Carter Ransom, the protagonist, is a sympathetic character struggling to reconcile his personal beliefs with the prevailing racial attitudes of the era.
ISBN: 0-374-20001-7
Marlette The Bridge , 2001 , a Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist, blends the events leading up to the original bombing with the modern-day trial of a Klan leader who may have ordered the attack. Magic Time ultimately succeeds as both a heartfelt novel and a serious one too, under-girded by a keen eye for historical and social detail, driven forward by a sense of justice, and revealing in so many instances a sometimes-surprising optimism and a generous sense of humanity.
Carter Ransom, the protagonist, is a sympathetic character struggling to reconcile his personal beliefs with the prevailing racial attitudes of the era. He becomes involved with a local African American woman, Love Simpson, and is faced with the challenges of interracial relationships in a deeply segregated society. Marlette also explores the power of the media in shaping public opinion and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in reporting on sensitive issues.
Magic Time by Doug Marlette
Born and raised in Mississippi, Carter Ransom came to New York as a young man and has risen to become a columnist with a major city newspaper. But when his life in New York falls apart and he heads back home to recover, the still-live conflicts of his youth in the civil rights era rise up all around him again. A twenty-five-year-old murder case has just been reopened, a church bombing that killed Carter's first love. Carter's father was the judge in the case, and now there's evidence that the trial was flawed, even fixed, and the case's reopening threatens the foundation of Carter's identity, as well as his relationship to his family.
Moving between New York City and the New South of the early 1990s, with flashbacks to Mississippi's Freedom Summer of 1964, Magic Time is at once a powerful love story, a courtroom drama, and a complex portrait of the civil rights revolution.
About the Author
Doug Marlette has won every major award for cartooning, including the Pulitzer Prize. His award-winning first novel, The Bridge, was published in 2001. He is also the author of Magic Time.
Praise For…
“Doug Marlette has captured something essential about the spirit of our age.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Glorious and deeply moving. Perfectly captures a time of epic change.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A compelling legal thriller, touching tribute, and zesty love story rolled into one.” —The Boston Globe
“Doug Marlette unravels a powerful plot that straddles every genre, from historical fiction to love story.” —Daily News (New York)
“Charming, engaging, and gripping . . . Magic Time presents a realistic portrait of the collective amnesia of the South and the generational tensions that the civil rights movement stirred up, then and now.” —The Washington Post
“A compulsively readable style and a wry sense of humor . . . There are no signs of a sophomore slump here. Magic Time usefully reminds us of a dark moment in our nation's recent past, of what has changed and how much has not.” —The Star-News (Wilmington, North Carolina)
“Marlette skillfully twines the raucous immediacy of things present with the misty remembrance of things past to demonstrate afresh how these two universal abstractions play off each other and ultimately lead us to meaning.” —The News & Observer
“Magic Time ultimately succeeds as both a heartfelt novel and a serious one too, under-girded by a keen eye for historical and social detail, driven forward by a sense of justice, and revealing in so many instances a sometimes-surprising optimism and a generous sense of humanity.” —Metro Magazine (North Carolina)
“Magic Time has wonderfully drawn characters and is a good tale, all around.” —The Sun News (Myrtle Beach)
“Marlette's sense of place and his belief in the authenticity of the Southern voice is powerful.” —Chattanooga Times Free Press
“Doug Marlette takes us deep into the heart of America, and deeper into the American heart. Marlette writes with acuity and intelligence, with broad humor and a precise, loving attention to detail. His past and present not only lives and breathes, it lingers and haunts your soul.” —Joe Klein, author of Primary Colors
“Doug Marlette asks urgent questions about society and directs us to look for the answers within our own hearts. His kind intelligence shows through in every word. He's one of my favorite writers.” —Kaye Gibbons, author of Ellen Foster
“I have always loved that word 'page-turner,' and that is just what Doug Marlette has given us with Magic Time. He bridges the modern South to one of its bleakest, most violent periods and does so with a story that you can't put down. I love the way Marlette brings my South to life with all its glory and warts. With this book, with the dilemma that modern-day Southerners find themselves in because of their ancestors' actions, we see once again what Faulkner meant about how the past isn't dead, or even past.” —Rick Bragg, author of All Over But the Shoutin' and Ava's Man
“Doug Marlette knows how to make a reader turn the page, again and again, with rising excitement. But he's after more than that in Magic Time. He sets out to fill in the canvas of the modern South with the darker colors of its history. He shows us every kind of Southerner, from the noblest to the worst. He makes his characters answer for who they are and where they come from, but he loves them--all of them. We can't ask for more from a novelist or a novel.” —Mark Childress, author of Crazy in Alabama and One Mississippi
“Doug Marlette unravels a powerful plot that straddles every genre, from historical fiction to love story.” —Daily News (New York)
Carter's journey as a reporter is intricately woven into the story, highlighting the role of the press in exposing the injustices and inequalities of the time. The novel delves into the complexities of human nature and the choices we make in the face of adversity. Marlette expertly creates a cast of diverse and multi-dimensional characters who add depth and richness to the narrative. Magic Time is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that offers a compelling insight into an important period in American history. Through his compelling storytelling, Doug Marlette captures the essence of the Civil Rights Movement and its impact on individuals and communities. The main idea of the novel, the contrast between small-town life and racial conflict, provides a powerful backdrop to explore the themes of love, courage, and the quest for justice..
Reviews for "The Influence of Religion in Magic Time: A Religious Critique of Doug Marlette's Novel"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "Magic Time" by Doug Marlette, but unfortunately, I found it to be quite disappointing. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The plot seemed promising at the beginning, but as I progressed through the book, it became more and more convoluted. I also found the writing style to be, at times, confusing and hard to follow. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book.
- John - 1 star - I had high hopes for "Magic Time", considering its intriguing premise, but it completely fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took forever for anything significant to happen. The main character was unlikable and lacked any development throughout the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or their motivations, making it difficult for me to be invested in the plot. I struggled to finish this book and was ultimately left disappointed.
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Magic Time", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, making it tedious to read. The story itself had potential, but it was overshadowed by unnecessary tangents and subplots that did little to enhance the overall narrative. The characters felt flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. Ultimately, I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end. This book was a disappointment and not one I would recommend.
- Mark - 2 stars - "Magic Time" by Doug Marlette was a letdown for me. The story started off promising, but quickly became confusing and hard to follow. The author introduced too many characters and plotlines that were unnecessary and detracted from the main story. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. I also found the ending to be unsatisfying and unresolved. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it.