Magic Words: The Tale of a Jewish Boy-Interpreter, the World's Most Estimable Magician, a Murderous Harlot, and America's Greatest Indian Chief [Hardcover]

Gerald Kolpan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

In a riveting novel of love and adventure, young Julius Meyer comes to the New World to find himself acting as translator for the famed Indian chief Standing Bear.

Young Jewish immigrant Julius comes of age surrounded by the wild world of 1867 Nebraska. He befriends the mysterious Prophet John, who saves his life when the two are captured by the Ponca Indian tribe. Living as a slave, Julius meets the noble chief Standing Bear and his young daughter,Prairie Flower, with whom he falls in love. Becoming the tribe’s interpreter—its “speaker”—his life seems safe and settled.

But Julius has reckoned without the arrival of his older cousin, Alexander—who, as the Great Herrmann, is the most famous young magician in America. Nor does he suspect the ultimate consequences of Alex’s affair with Lady-Jane Little Feather, a glamorous—and murderous—prostitute destined to become the most scandalous woman on two continents.

Filled with adventure, humor, and colorful characters, Magic Words is a riveting adventure about the nature of prejudice,the horror of genocide, and a courageous young man who straddles two worlds to fight for love and freedom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Kolpan deepens his inquiry into overlooked figures of the Old West in his second historical novel, resurrecting Julius Meyer, the renowned translator for Native American leaders, and world-famous magicians Compars and Alexander Herrmann. Kolpan offers sensitive revelations of the horrific suffering of Native Americans forced from their homelands, crimes and tragedies he thoughtfully parallels with the bloodshed and exile endured by Jews. In all, a distinctively insightful and bewitching work of compassionate historical fiction by an adept novelist one hopes has lots more tricks up his sleeves.” (Booklist (starred review) )

“Kidnapped in 1867 Nebraska by Ponca Indians while on a trading mission, young immigrant Julius Meyer uses his gift for languages to become the invaluable interpreter for Chief Standing Bear. Drawing on actual historical events and figures-Julius Meyer became a translator for many prominent Indian chiefs, and Alexander Herrmann was a famous magician--Kolpan weaves an enthralling tale of adventure featuring larger-than-life characters, without trite Western stereotypes. Readers who loved Kolpan's Etta should enjoy this new work; it will also appeal to fans of Loren D. Estleman's Westerns and Thomas Berger's Little Big Man.” (Library Journal )

“Magic Words is a complicated, breathlessly plotted fictional take on the American Jewish experience unlike anything we've seen from Philip Roth, Chaim Potok, Saul Bellow, or Bernard Malamud...To quote the great prestidigitator (and actor and director) Orson Welles: "What makes a good magician? He's the man who can get that rabbit out in time." In Magic Words, Gerald Kolpan does precisely that.” (The Philadelphia Inquirer )

“Kolpan’s novel rollicks along with a huge cast, colorful locales, and a jolly sense of fun. An entertaining romp through the world of Victorian showmanship of particular appeal to fans of comic westerns.” (Publishers Weekly )

About the Author

Gerald Kolpan, author of Etta (2009), previously was a contributor to NPR’s All Things Considered and for twenty years was the Emmy award-winning features reporter for Philly’s WXTF–TV. He lives in Philadelphia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pegasus (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605983691
• ISBN-13: 978-1605983691
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.4 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,228,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gerald Kolpan was born in New York City and grew up in suburban Westchester county. He came to Philadelphia in the 1970's to attend the University of the Arts.

Gerald was a successful illustrator and graphic designer for over a decade and then chucked it all in 1977 to front a rock band. Following that experience, Gerald turned to writing and was soon turning out features for both local and national newspapers and magazines. He was the humor columnist for the Philadelphia City Paper and gained a national reputation as a commentator and reporter for NPR's nightly news program All Things Considered.

On the strength of his radio work, Gerald was hired by WTXF-TV in Philadelphia as their first features reporter, a position he held for twenty years. His work has been seen all over the world on both CNN and FNC and he has received awards from the Radio and Television News Directors Association and the Associated Press, as well as eight Emmy awards.

In 2009, Balantine Books published his critically acclaimed first novel, ETTA, a fictionalized account of the life of Etta Place, lover of the Sundance Kid. His new novel, MAGIC WORDS, is the story of Julius Meyer, a 13 year-old Jewish immmigrant from Prussia who comes to the United States after the Civil War and becomes the interpreter for America's great Indian chiefs, and his cousin, Alexander Herrmann, destined to become the most famous magician of his time. MAGIC WORDS will be published in May, 2012 by Pegasus Books

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bookschlepper Recommends May 31, 2012

By Jean Sue Libkind

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved Kolpan's earlier book, ETTA Etta: A Novel (the woman with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). He tells a rollicking story. I would have found this one too rollicking to be believed except that it is based on a true story. Two Eastern European Jews immigrate to Philadelphia. One follows his brother in to the field of magic and both become American and European sensations. Their tricks would amaze and baffle modern audiences. The other goes to Omaha. Kidnapped by the Ponca tribe, he will use his singular ability to learn languages and dialects to become the chief's son and to mingle with European hoi polloi. Kolpan does not romanticize the warts and dangers of the post-Civil War West. He makes it matter by involving us in the lives of the characters. The massacre at Chadron Nebraska (where my family had a ranch) was a crucial turning point in the treatment of Native Americans. Now that cowboys are coming back in to cinematic fashion, this is a perfect summer read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars History and fiction in fine form May 18, 2012

By Isabel Miller

Format:Hardcover

This is a great read: a nuanced mix of excitement and history. The novel approaches a cultural intersection often overlooked or given a cursory glance by mainstream accounts, and paints it in fascinating detail. I'm always pleased to see a work of historical fiction transcend genre and add human gravity to past events. Kolpan manages his story with remarkable energy and finesse. I definitely recommend.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic Words June 5, 2012

By Lawrence Finkel

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Once again Gerald Kolpan has woven fact and fiction into an intricate tapestry of life in the old west. Using historical facts and figures, Kolpan has managed to depict the changes brought to the west by the encroaching European settlers and traders. Magic Words draws a vivid picture contrasting the destruction of the native way of life with the opportunities experienecd by the Jewish and gentile immigrants arriving to begin a new life. Hope versus despair, humor alongside pathos. Kolpan has managed to use an extraordinary skill at character development to populate an underconsidered segment of American history. Magic words is a great read, you'll have a hard time putting it down.