Drew Jacob’s Lúnasa Days is a modern-day grimoire as travelogue, registering the moods of magic and people in context. Jacob is a master storyteller who writes about people suffering from various pains in the soul, and what can be done about it. The protagonist, Bailey, finds himself literally bailing out ailments by using magic performed à la carte, rather than by the book. Although we don’t learn about what kind of magic Bailey grew tired of, and which made him skeptical about the workings of magic, we do learn that magic is not necessarily a question of ‘does it work’, but rather a question of process.
Unlike other books on magic, this novella is not concerned with the end result of any magical working and routine, but rather focuses on the extent to which any encounter between people can be said to be magical. To be sure, getting there, as it were, is significant in works of magic that use spell casting, divination, or consorting with spirit, but what’s important here is the idea of ‘there’ being about something else and not just an end destination marked by the exclamation, ‘it worked’. Rather, Lúnasa Days is more concerned with performing magic as an act of astonishing oneself. ‘Can I astonish myself,’ Jacob seems to be asking all the way through, and the answer is, ‘yes, if you are dedicated to listening to your environment with utmost acuity.’
The author writes beautifully and with an unsentimental sensibility. Yet it is clear that what makes this text strong is the fact that it is written in a heartfelt and honest vein. It also has something to say about what a magical working can add to people’s lives. This is not only a book about magic as an art, but also about a dedicated artist who throws himself upon his art in a frenzy, thus allowing for the best to emerge. Magic here comes across as the necessity to maintain the act of suspending disbelief, only so that one can learn about discernment. Without the suspension of disbelief there is no discernment. Jacob makes many such direct points that are full of significance. Lunasa Days is a very enjoyable text that teaches us all a lesson in the many ways of listening.
And just to make sure that I entice here potential readers to go for it, let me mention the following: As Gertrude Stein once said, ‘every good text has sex in it.’ This one does too. It is wonderful. It is of the land and of the people who stand upon it while also waiting for the rain to come.
OR
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Follow the authors
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
