The novel "The Talisman" by Peter Straub is a captivating tale that explores the concept of parallel universes and supernatural powers. The story follows a young boy named Jack Sawyer as he embarks on a perilous journey through different worlds in order to find a magical object known as the Talisman. This object has the power to heal his dying mother and save both their realities from imminent destruction. Throughout his journey, Jack encounters a wide array of characters – some friendly and helpful, while others are sinister and intent on stopping him. The most notable of these characters is Speedy Parker, a wise and mysterious man who serves as Jack's guide and mentor. Through Speedy's guidance, Jack learns to harness his magical abilities and navigate the dangers that lie ahead.
“Even now, I still have to clear another round of screenings and tests, just to make sure that everything is progressing well. Timing forced a decision and I didn’t have a second to waste or wait—not on you and not on anybody else.”
Ironically, the whole selection process contained way more information and analysis than most married couples probably go through school grades by subject, entire family medical histories going back two generations, plus detailed STI and genetic disorder tests. We see a very different Laila in this book, from her noticeable absence as she builds her startup company to her assertion of boundaries for self-care.
Through Speedy's guidance, Jack learns to harness his magical abilities and navigate the dangers that lie ahead. As Jack traverses through a variety of fantastical realms, he discovers that each one is connected in some way to his own world. He encounters bizarre creatures and experiences surreal landscapes, all of which add to the sense of wonder and enchantment that pervades the novel.
BLACK GIRLS MUST BE MAGIC
In this highly anticipated second installment in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series, Tabitha Walker copes with more of life’s challenges and a happy surprise—a baby—with a little help and lots of love from friends old and new.
For Tabitha Walker, her grandmother’s old adage, “Black girls must die exhausted” is becoming all too true. Discovering she’s pregnant—after she was told she may not be able to have biological children— Tabitha throws herself headfirst into the world of “single mothers by choice.” Between her job, doctor’s appointments, and preparing for the baby, she’s worn out.
In this highly anticipated second installment in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series, Tabitha Walker copes with more of life’s challenges and a happy surprise—a baby—with a little help and lots of love from friends old and new.
For Tabitha Walker, her grandmother’s old adage, “Black girls must die exhausted” is becoming all too true. Discovering she’s pregnant—after she was told she may not be able to have biological children— Tabitha throws herself headfirst into the world of “single mothers by choice.” Between her job, doctor’s appointments, and preparing for the baby, she’s worn out. And that’s before her boss at the local news station starts getting complaints from viewers about Tabitha’s natural hair.
When an unexpected turn of events draws Marc—her on and off-again ex-boyfriend—back into her world with surprising demands, and the situation at work begins to threaten her livelihood and her identity, Tabitha must make some tough decisions about her and her baby’s future. It takes a village to raise a child, and Tabitha turns to the women who have always been there for her.
Bolstered by the fierce support of Ms. Gretchen, her grandmother’s best friend, the counsel of her closest friends Laila and Alexis, and the calming presence of her doula Andouele, Tabitha must find a way to navigate motherhood on her own terms. Will she harness the bravery, strength, and self-love she’ll need to keep “the village” together, find her voice at work, and settle things with Marc before the baby arrives?
- Harper Perennial
- Paperback
- February 2022
- 272 Pages
- 9780063137929
Buy the Book
$16.99
About Jayne Allen
Jayne Allen is the pen name of Jaunique Sealey, a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School. An avid traveler, she speaks three languages and has visited five continents. Drawing from her unique experiences as an attorney and entrepreneur, she crafts transcultural stories that touch upon contemporary women’s issues such as workplace and career dynamics, race, fertility, modern relationships and mental health awareness. Her writing echoes her desire to bring both multiculturalism and multidimensionality to a rich and colorful cast of characters inspired by the magic uncovered in everyday life. She calls the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series “the epitaph of my 30s.” A proud native of Detroit, she currently lives in Los Angeles.
Praise
“Sign me up for the trilogy!”— Tia Williams, New York Times bestselling author of Seven Days in June on Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
Discussion Questions
1. In the beginning of Black Girls Must Be Magic, Tabby is grappling with her decision to become a single mother. Did you agree with her decision? Why or why not?
2. Just as she’d started to get comfortable with her self-expression, Tabby has to deal with comments from viewers about her choice of hairstyle. Can you relate? How have you navigated the perceptions of others in your workplace or school environments? Has the desire to advance influenced your decisions?
3. Andouele gives Tabby her personal view on motherhood and single motherhood in particular. Do you feel like society imposes a perspective on single motherhood?
4. What did you think about Marc’s initial reaction to the news from Tabby’s doctor visit? Should Tabby trust the “new” Marc?
5. We see a very different Laila in this book, from her noticeable absence as she builds her startup company to her assertion of boundaries for self-care. In the context of their friendship, Tabby struggles with the disappointments that come with Laila finding herself. Can you relate to this? What advice would you give Tabby? What would you say to Laila if you were in Tabby’s position?
6. Just as it seems like she’s going to get the “fairy tale,” Tabby starts to evaluate what it is that she really wants – life beyond the story of what she feels she’s supposed to want. What do you think Tabby should do?
7. Alexis has her reasons for considering a return to her marriage. Do you think she should go back to Rob? Do you think Alexis has changed? Do you think Rob has changed? What would you do?
8. Ms. Gretchen gives Tabby encouragement and an idea to find courage on the outside when she can’t quite find it on the inside. Do you have a special item or routine that you use when you need a little extra courage? What is it?
9. Tabby’s mom has a particular view of how Tabby should present herself and what’s “supposed” to be, likely similar to most parents. What do you think of her views and what conversation would you want to have with her if you were Tabby?
10. In this book, Tabby’s getting closer to finding her “magic.” What do you think that means for her? What’s your “magic”? Do you think any of the other characters are getting closer to finding their magic as well?
11. As the characters evolve, whom do you most closely relate to in Black Girls Must Be Magic? Tabby, Laila, Alexis, Ms. Gretchen, Mrs. Walker-Williams, or Lisa Sinclair? Someone else?
Excerpt
However, Jack's quest is not without its challenges, as he must confront his deepest fears and face the dark forces that seek to manipulate and control him. In addition to its engaging plot and vivid world-building, "The Talisman" also delves into many philosophical and existential themes. It raises questions about identity, destiny, and the power of belief. Jack's journey acts as a metaphorical exploration of his inner self and serves as a coming-of-age tale, as he overcomes his personal weaknesses and matures into a stronger individual. Overall, "The Talisman" is a highly imaginative and immersive novel that combines elements of fantasy, horror, and adventure. Straub's skillful storytelling and well-drawn characters make it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. The magical object, the Talisman, serves as the driving force behind the narrative, symbolizing the power of hope and the lengths one will go to protect those they love..
Reviews for "The Brilliant and Twisted World of the Magical Object in Peter Straub's Novels"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Magical Object" by Peter Straub. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with too many subplots that didn't contribute to the main narrative. The characters lacked depth, and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive, bogging down the pacing of the plot. Overall, I found it difficult to stay engaged and felt unsatisfied with the resolution of the story.
2. Mark - 2/5 - "The Magical Object" by Peter Straub was a letdown for me. The concept had a lot of potential, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was slow, and there were numerous lengthy passages of exposition that made it hard to stay interested. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their actions often seemed arbitrary or out of place. The ending was also lackluster and didn't provide the closure I was hoping for. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me.
3. Sarah - 1/5 - I regret picking up "The Magical Object" by Peter Straub. The story lacked cohesion and had no clear direction. The plot meandered aimlessly, and I couldn't figure out the significance of the titular magical object. The characters were uninteresting, and their motivations were unclear. I found myself skimming through pages, hoping it would improve, but it never did. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to others.
4. David - 2/5 - "The Magical Object" by Peter Straub left me underwhelmed. The narrative was convoluted and hard to follow, with a multitude of storylines that didn't seem to connect. The writing style was dense and hard to digest, which made it a challenge to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and were forgettable. While there were moments of intrigue, the overall execution was disappointing. I had higher expectations for this novel, especially considering the author's reputation, but it fell short for me.
5. Lisa - 1/5 - I couldn't get into "The Magical Object" by Peter Straub at all. The plot was confusing and seemed to jump around without clear direction. The characters were uninteresting and poorly developed, making it difficult to care about their fates. The writing style was also overly verbose and weighed down the story. The resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and lackluster read.