Half Magic is a children's fantasy novel written by Edward Eager. The book was first published in 1954 and has since become a beloved classic. It tells the story of four siblings who discover a magic talisman that grants them half of what they wish for. The main characters in the book are Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha. They stumble upon the magic talisman while on a family vacation and quickly realize its powers. However, they soon learn that the talisman's magic is not always as straightforward as it seems.
The next thing the four children knew, they were standing in the midst of a crowded highway. Four queens were just passing, riding under a silken canopy. The next moment seven merry milkmaids skipped past, going a-Maying. In the distance a gallant knight was chasing a grimly giant with puissant valor, and in the other direction a grimly knight was chasing a gallant knight for all he was worth. Some pilgrims stopped and asked the four children the way to Canterbury. The four children didn’t know.
Naturally this causes some hilarious problems, but it finally leads the family to greater happiness, with a new father and a more enjoyable summer in sight. There s also unpleasant stereotyping involving an Arab man who tricks the children and mutilated spoken Chinese, but that scene is resolved with the children becoming empathetic to the man s situation and seeking a respectful, compassionate outcome for him.
However, they soon learn that the talisman's magic is not always as straightforward as it seems. Whenever they make a wish, they only receive half of what they ask for, leading to unexpected and sometimes hilarious consequences. Throughout the book, the children have various adventures and encounters with mythical creatures, such as dragons and unicorns.
Book Review: “Half Magic” by Edward Eager
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Eager was a playwright and lyricist, who turned to writing children’s books in order to have something to read to his son. An avowed disciple of E. Nesbit (Five Children and It, etc.), he creates a similar style of fantasy/fairy-tale, starring a winning family of children. Only in this story, the children don’t have a father, and their mother is too busy to take them out in the country for the summer, and on top of everything else, they live in Toledo, Ohio, sometime in the 1920s (the silent film era, anyway), so it isn’t quite the aristocratic British fantasy typical of E. Nesbit.
So the four siblings–Jane, Mark, Katherine, and Martha–are idly wondering what to do with their summer vacation, when they come across a magical talisman (easily mistaken for a nickel) which grants wishes by halves. That’s right, halves. So anything you want, you had better wish for twice as much. Naturally this causes some hilarious problems, but it finally leads the family to greater happiness, with a new father and a more enjoyable summer in sight.
In the meantime their adventures include falling into the hands of a greedy Arab merchant, joining Sir Launcelot on a quest, becoming half-invisible in a crowded theatre, foiling a jewel heist, and becoming part of the wrong family. The story is riddled with references to good books, including the Bible, David Copperfield, E. Nesbit’s books, and many others. Here’s a paragraph I found particularly delightful:
The next thing the four children knew, they were standing in the midst of a crowded highway. Four queens were just passing, riding under a silken canopy. The next moment seven merry milkmaids skipped past, going a-Maying. In the distance a gallant knight was chasing a grimly giant with puissant valor, and in the other direction a grimly knight was chasing a gallant knight for all he was worth. Some pilgrims stopped and asked the four children the way to Canterbury. The four children didn’t know.
Misfortune and difficulty provide opportunities to
They also encounter other people who have discovered the talisman and must navigate the challenges that come with their magic. One of the central themes of Half Magic is the importance of teamwork and cooperation. As the siblings learn to work together and make joint wishes, they begin to unlock the full potential of the talisman's magic. The story also explores the concept of consequences and the idea that every wish, even half-granted ones, come with a price. Half Magic is a delightful and enchanting book that captures the imagination of readers of all ages. It has been praised for its humor, memorable characters, and imaginative storytelling. Its enduring popularity has made it a timeless classic in children's literature. Whether it's for children discovering the book for the first time or adults revisiting it for nostalgic reasons, Half Magic continues to captivate and entertain readers around the world..
Reviews for "The timeless appeal of Half Magic book"
1. Amelia - 1/5 stars - I really did not enjoy "Half Magic book". The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, and the plot was extremely predictable. The writing style was also very basic and lacked any kind of finesse or creativity. Overall, I found the book to be dull and unengaging, and I would not recommend it to others.
2. James - 2/5 stars - I found "Half Magic book" to be quite mediocre. While the concept of half magic is interesting, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story. Additionally, I felt that the characters were underdeveloped and lacked complexity. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and don't feel compelled to continue with the series.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Half Magic book" left a lot to be desired. The plot felt disjointed and the story lacked cohesion. It was difficult to connect with the characters and their motivations. The writing style was also quite simplistic, and I found myself wanting more depth and complexity. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and I was left unsatisfied with the reading experience.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "Half Magic book" failed to captivate my interest. The story felt like a jumbled mess of ideas and lacked a clear direction. The characters were forgettable and their personalities felt flat. The writing style was also unremarkable and failed to bring the story to life. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
5. Laura - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate "Half Magic book", it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The concept of half magic was intriguing, but I felt that the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, and the plot lacked depth. The characters were somewhat enjoyable, but I wished they had been more developed. Overall, this book was just okay for me.