Now she is occult, hiding from the world Once a bright and sociable girl, she now lurks in the shadows, unseen by those around her. The transformation from social butterfly to hidden recluse is a puzzling mystery to all who knew her before. It started slowly, with her gradually withdrawing from social events and interactions. At first, her absence went unnoticed, as people assumed she was simply busy or preoccupied with personal matters. However, as time went on, her absence became more evident, and concern began to rise among her friends and family. The once vibrant and outgoing girl now spends her days in seclusion, her presence only felt in the few interactions she has online.
The once vibrant and outgoing girl now spends her days in seclusion, her presence only felt in the few interactions she has online. Even then, her messages are cryptic and elusive, offering little insight into her current state of being. It's as if she has become a ghost, haunting the digital spaces she once occupied.
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
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.
Rumors swirl about the cause of her sudden reclusiveness. Some suggest a traumatic event, while others speculate that she has fallen into the embrace of a secretive cult. Regardless of the truth, it is clear that she is now entrenched in the world of the occult. While her reasons for embracing the occult remain unknown, it is clear that she has found solace and comfort in its embrace. The supernatural and mystical have become her refuge, providing an escape from the harsh realities of the outside world. Perhaps she has found answers or guidance within the hidden knowledge and ancient practices of these esoteric realms. Those who care for her watch from the sidelines, torn between concern and respect for her autonomy. It's difficult to see someone you love retreat into the darkness, but it's equally important to honor their choices and allow them the space they need. In this case, it seems that the path she has chosen is one that aligns with her current understanding and desires. The transformation from a vibrant socialite to an occult recluse is not an easy one to understand or accept. However, it is crucial to recognize that people change and evolve, and sometimes the paths they choose are ones that may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable to those around them. Now, she is occult, and that is a part of who she has become..
Reviews for "Women and the Occult: Redefining Power"
- Alex - 2 stars - I couldn't get into "Now she is occult". The story was just too confusing and all over the place. The characters were undeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also difficult to follow, with random jumps in the timeline that left me feeling lost. Overall, I was really disappointed with this book.
- Sarah - 1 star - I found "Now she is occult" to be extremely boring. The plot was slow-moving, and it felt like nothing interesting happened until the very end. The main character was also very unlikeable and made questionable decisions throughout the story. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. I would not recommend it.
- Michael - 2 stars - "Now she is occult" had an interesting concept, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing important happening, and then abrupt action scenes that felt out of place. The dialogue was also awkward and unnatural. I struggled to finish this book and ultimately found it underwhelming.
- Emily - 2.5 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Now she is occult". On one hand, I enjoyed some elements of the story, like the creepy atmosphere and the paranormal aspects. However, I found the writing to be overly descriptive and it slowed down the pacing. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to care about their fates. While it had potential, the execution left much to be desired.