You’d like these stories even if you were a Viking. Sure, you might not “get” the metafictional story-within-a-story, can’t-tell-what-is-true aspect of these short stories (if you were a Viking), but you’d be thrilled to find out that these stories feature zombies, talking cats, a haunted breast, and a television show about a library. If you were a Viking (you aren’t) you might be put off by Kelly Link’s use of magic realism and absurdity, but you’d be hard-pressed not to be stunned by Link’s natural talent as a storyteller. The Viking psyche might have a difficult time adjusting to the postmodern slant of this collection, but that kind of thing is good for expanding your mind. Vikings also like pictures, so it’s a good thing that Shelley Jackson did some fine illustrations to accompany these stories. All right, so you’re not a Viking. You might enjoy Magic for Beginners anyway, especially if you like tales that are whimsical, terrifying, and practically sorcerous. Did I mention there was a story about time travel?

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