A wonderous novel of a horrific time., 06 Jan 1999
Lisa Goldstein's first novel came out of nowhere and won the American Book Award. Compelling and heartrending, with beautiful prose and a wonderous, magical story, *The Red Magician* captures readers into the life of a Jewish girl, Kisci, coming to adulthood in preWWII Poland, detailing her friendship with the Red Magician--the truly magic magician--who tries to warn those around him about the coming horror he has forseen. The novel follows Kisci through the Camps and to the point where, as a DP, she embarks for America. This novel is possibly the best realization of Magical Realism I have ever read, blending Jewish Kabbala mysticism with the events of the time with the intimate story of Kisci with such a grievous beauty that even after many readings I cannot pick up the book just for a moment: the novel almost forces me to finish it in one sitting.

A wonderous novel of a horrific time., 06 Jan 1999
Lisa Goldstein's first novel came out of nowhere and won the American Book Award. Compelling and heartrending, with beautiful prose and a wonderous, magical story, *The Red Magician* captures readers into the life of a Jewish girl, Kisci, coming to adulthood in preWWII Poland, detailing her friendship with the Red Magician--the truly magic magician--who tries to warn those around him about the coming horror he has forseen. The novel follows Kisci through the Camps and to the point where, as a DP, she embarks for America. This novel is possibly the best realization of Magical Realism I have ever read, blending Jewish Kabbala mysticism with the events of the time with the intimate story of Kisci with such a grievous beauty that even after many readings I cannot pick up the book just for a moment: the novel almost forces me to finish it in one sitting.

Good idea, carelessly written, 06 Sep 1999
The idea was great; grand, even. But,when Mattie looked at Ruthie and asked, "Does your child look like you?" and Ruthie answered with a somber affirmative, I put the book down to read no more, and fetched some Joe Lansdale to wash this stuff from my eyes. Sorry, Ms. Goldstein -- I really wanted to like this one.

A fine modern fantasy by an excellent writer, 31 Aug 1999
/Dark Cities Underground/ has a great title and a kick-ass cover--just the kind of book that'll catch your eye at the store. Let it. It's a fairly slim volume, unlike what passes today for a typical fantasy, requiring great strides in the book-binder's art simply to keep the whole damn thing from falling apart, and wonder of wonders, it is complete in a single volume. But don't think there isn't a wealth of invention, some highly sympathetic characters, and some just plain neat stuff, because there is. Goldstein was able to make her story resonate with some of our most cherished children's books, and I was constantly thinking, "Wow, cool. I hadn't thought of that." She made me think, which is something to be treasured. If there was a problem, it was that she's too concise--I would have loved to see more of her invention, and more of the Dark Cities, and more of her characters. But not three volumes' worth. In that sense, I heartily agree with her choices.

A wonderous novel of a horrific time., 06 Jan 1999
Lisa Goldstein's first novel came out of nowhere and won the American Book Award. Compelling and heartrending, with beautiful prose and a wonderous, magical story, *The Red Magician* captures readers into the life of a Jewish girl, Kisci, coming to adulthood in preWWII Poland, detailing her friendship with the Red Magician--the truly magic magician--who tries to warn those around him about the coming horror he has forseen. The novel follows Kisci through the Camps and to the point where, as a DP, she embarks for America. This novel is possibly the best realization of Magical Realism I have ever read, blending Jewish Kabbala mysticism with the events of the time with the intimate story of Kisci with such a grievous beauty that even after many readings I cannot pick up the book just for a moment: the novel almost forces me to finish it in one sitting.

Good idea, carelessly written, 06 Sep 1999
The idea was great; grand, even. But,when Mattie looked at Ruthie and asked, "Does your child look like you?" and Ruthie answered with a somber affirmative, I put the book down to read no more, and fetched some Joe Lansdale to wash this stuff from my eyes. Sorry, Ms. Goldstein -- I really wanted to like this one.

A fine modern fantasy by an excellent writer, 31 Aug 1999
/Dark Cities Underground/ has a great title and a kick-ass cover--just the kind of book that'll catch your eye at the store. Let it. It's a fairly slim volume, unlike what passes today for a typical fantasy, requiring great strides in the book-binder's art simply to keep the whole damn thing from falling apart, and wonder of wonders, it is complete in a single volume. But don't think there isn't a wealth of invention, some highly sympathetic characters, and some just plain neat stuff, because there is. Goldstein was able to make her story resonate with some of our most cherished children's books, and I was constantly thinking, "Wow, cool. I hadn't thought of that." She made me think, which is something to be treasured. If there was a problem, it was that she's too concise--I would have loved to see more of her invention, and more of the Dark Cities, and more of her characters. But not three volumes' worth. In that sense, I heartily agree with her choices.

A wonderous novel of a horrific time., 06 Jan 1999
Lisa Goldstein's first novel came out of nowhere and won the American Book Award. Compelling and heartrending, with beautiful prose and a wonderous, magical story, *The Red Magician* captures readers into the life of a Jewish girl, Kisci, coming to adulthood in preWWII Poland, detailing her friendship with the Red Magician--the truly magic magician--who tries to warn those around him about the coming horror he has forseen. The novel follows Kisci through the Camps and to the point where, as a DP, she embarks for America. This novel is possibly the best realization of Magical Realism I have ever read, blending Jewish Kabbala mysticism with the events of the time with the intimate story of Kisci with such a grievous beauty that even after many readings I cannot pick up the book just for a moment: the novel almost forces me to finish it in one sitting.