The Magic Kingdom

In this captivating audiobook by Russell Banks, property speculator Harley Mann revisits his childhood in 1971, reflecting on his family's move to a Shaker colony in Florida after his father's sudden death. As he records his life story on a reel-to-reel machine, Harley grapples with love, faith, and the complex dynamics of his upbringing, especially his relationship with Sadie Pratt, a consumptive patient living in the colony. This narrative explores themes of memory, identity, and the quest for an ideal life within the backdrop of America’s evolving landscape, ultimately revealing profound insights into both personal and collective histories.