Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link

This is a collection of short stories. I read the title story on the Internet when it was nominated for the Nebula novella prize, which it won. I loved it then and still love the story Magic for Beginners. I also loved the The Faery Handbag. Kelly Link has lots of fascinating sideways ideas.

But I didn't really like any of the other stories, except for thinking how interesting occasionally, especially in The Great Divorce. I actively disliked Stone Animals, I felt the ending was too abrupt and not nearly strong enough for the rest of the story, which I had enjoyed reading up till then.

Lull had interesting parts, though the opening section went on far too long, but I couldn't help wondering if the story in a story in a story format was chosen because she couldn't think of appropriate endings for all the stories. And Red Dwarf (the TV show episode and one of the books) did the idea of living backwards just as well, so I kept wishing for that bit to be over.

Catskin didn't really strike me as particularly interesting, but then I have read the unbowdlerised Brothers Grimm. And this is probably my problem in general with Kelly Link, she has lots of ideas but often not much plot, so if I have come across the idea before, the story doesn't work all that well for me.

I liked the black and white illustrations by Shelley Jackson in my copy (Harper Perennial 2005) - more books should be illustrated! Why should children have all the best illustrators? I expect to read my two favourite stories many more times, so on the whole I am pleased to own this book. I will also be on the lookout for other work by Link. In the collection Firebirds Rising I have another of her stories, The Wizards of Perfil, which I also liked a lot.

Magic for Beginners (the book) first published 2005 - stories first published 2002 to 2005