A Hundred Magical Reasons Review: First Line Friday

A Hundred Magical Reasons Review: First Line Friday

Welcome to this week’s First Line Friday where I’ll share my A Hundred Magical Reasons Review. First, the details. A Hundred Magical Reasons is a dual or split-time novel written by Laura DeNooyer and  released by Scrivenings Press on January 7, 2025.  This stand-alone novel took me a little longer to finish than usual, but I had a lot going on at the time, plus it is a bit longer than those I usually read.

The First Line:

“Two weeks after college graduation with no diploma to show for it, Carrie Kruisselbrink stormed from her house like a prairie gale.”

Already the reader is set up for a wonderful, Oz-worthy story. While it could have been overdone, using gale was the perfect touch. And I want to know, how does one go through college graduation without a diploma? Definitely going to keep reading.

My A Hundred Magical Reasons Review:

I’ve loved The Wizard of Oz since I was a kid, though my experience with the story was only through the movie until I finally read the first book in Mr. Baum’s series in junior high. Warm memories of watching the movie every Friday before Easter prompted my interest in reading this book. Plus, it has a beautiful cover adding to its appeal.

Not knowing much about the history of L. Frank Baum, I cannot speak to whether or not the fictional interactions he has with Charlotte in the story are true to his nature or not. The author may have used factual quotes from the author in conversations, but I do not know. What I will say is having experienced the world he created in his stories, I have no trouble believing the scenarios and conversations could have happened exactly as the author describes. And based on her own notes in the book, the author did due diligence in researching the life of Mr. Baum.

I’m drawn to books and movies that tap into the wonder of creating. I loved (though I know license was taken) the movies Finding Neverland and Saving Mr. Banks and even the wonderful episode of Doctor Who featuring Van Gogh. Each tap into the creative process of the one creating and those watching can feel the magic of it. A feeling that inspires one’s desire to live creatively. A Hundred Magical Reasons taps into that same feeling regarding the creative process of Mr. Baum.

The book is full of literary references, and for me, that’s another check in the positive column. And recipes. There are so many whimsical, story-inspired recipes in the book. The author even offers a sampling of them for those willing to click the link in the back of the book. I haven’t done it yet, but I’m not one to turn down book-inspired recipes.

While A Hundred Magical Reasons tapped into my love of the Wizard of Oz, the creative process, children’s books, and recipes, there was much more to enjoy in the story. The individual stories of Charlotte and Carrie, the paths they had taken and were on in life, were equally interesting. Watching their interactions and how their relationship in 1980 grew from using each other to friendship was enjoyable. The whimsy of Charlotte’s relationship with the Baum family in the early 1900s is both light-hearted fun and meaningful.  Both blended nicely in the end, giving the story a satisfying ending.

Each character’s faith in the story was complex. There were a couple characters whose faith was steady and true. While the characters were on a journey of self-discovery and being true to themselves, they were also defining their faith. It’s clear where Charlotte and Carrie end up in their quest for spiritual truth. I have a little less clarity with Mr. Baum’s. Though, with him being real and not simply a character, more clarity may not be available through research.

Whether you are a fan of The Wizard of Oz or simply the fan of a well-told story, you should check out A Hundred Magical Reasons. You won’t be disappointed. I give this story five stars.

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More about A Hundred Magical Reasons

Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon, the disgruntled town recluse, is eighty-eight and has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.

Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.

During 1980, the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.

As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.

In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?