Mister Magic by Kiersten White
a creepy tale of repressed childhood trauma
Three decades ago, a long-running children’s television program was shut down after the final episode ended in a mysterious tragedy. The show has become lost media. No tapes or recordings exist anywhere. Viewers, and even cast members, are left to wonder if their memories of the show are real.
Who was Mister Magic, the show’s enigmatic host, who would correct the children when they misbehaved? Was he a man? A puppet? A supernatural entity? Accounts vary. The mysterious figure in the cape and top hat is one of the eeriest villains I’ve read in recent years.
“Magic always remembers the taste of your friendship.”
There were six child cast members, but one died long ago under suspicious circumstances. The remaining five, now middle-aged adults, reunite because a podcaster wants to interview them about their experiences on the show. They journey back to the desolate Utah area where Mister Magic was originally filmed.
The main character, Val, has been living a secluded life on a ranch with her dad, who has recently passed away. She initially has no memory whatsoever of being part of Mister Magic. The book gradually reveals her backstory. She – and we – are in for a shocking journey. As secrets come to light, and the horrifying truth about the show is unraveled, Val must make a heartrending choice.
There are shades of It by Stephen King, with adults reuniting to face a villain that they first encountered as children. Pennywise and Mister Magic both gain power through fear.
The overarching theme of Mister Magic is the trauma inflicted on kids when adults attempt to force them to think/act a certain way, rather than giving children healthy room to grow, develop, and form their own beliefs. White was raised Mormon. Although the book never explicitly mentions the church, the author’s negative feelings about that religion are far from subtle.
Of course, this theme can also be applied to many other religions and groups. Anyone who was raised in an ideology that they later rejected will find much to identify with here.
Kiersten White has written many books, but this is my first foray into her work. She’s adept at writing about her characters’ body language, often using these descriptions in replace of extensive dialogue. White writes in a relatively simple, rapid-fire style that is easy to read. I’m interested in her novel Hide, which is set at an amusement park. I hope it’s as creepy as this!
Mister Magic is practically tailor-made for me. it’s got ’90s nostalgia, lost media, creepy mysteries, and huge plot twists. These are some of my favorite story elements!
Any flaws? Well, this book is pretty short. The hardcover is 288 pages. I would have liked to see White delve deeper into the world of the story. She could have easily added mythology to make the story even more interesting. Maybe there will be a sequel, but, based on how the book ends, that would probably be difficult.
Rating
With resonant themes and a consistently eerie atmosphere, Mister Magic succeeds at being one of the creepiest horror novels I’ve read in the past year.
Rating from 1 (avoid at all costs) to 10 (masterpiece): 9
