Kindle Vella hosts a delicious plethora of episodic content for readers of any genre, and today I want to tell you about one of my absolute favorite stories, not only on the Vella platform, but across all mediums!
As of this writing, A People’s History of Magic by Kendra Griffin is 25 episodes deep. Without fail, every one of those episodes inspired me to laugh out loud. And we’re not talkin’ about cheap, forgettable chuckles here. Griffin’s mastery of intelligent wit conjures my heartiest guffaws in a way that few writers ever have before, let alone so damn consistently.
“Intelligent” is a distinguished keyword here. A People’s History… is an all-you-can-eat buffet for the brain. Griffin’s ability to combine philosophy, science fiction, and fantasy in a relentlessly humorous and heartfelt way, is a straight-up service to humanity.
Look. Honestly, reviewing A People’s History… without sounding hyperbolic is an arduous task. Nearly impossible. That’s just how much I love it, though. I am not being hyperbolic at all. I have rarely been able to in good conscience make a fiercer recommendation than this.
It’s not only the on-point hilarity, disarming wit, fulfilling mental feast, and insightful existential and social commentary that make this story great. Those are the aspects that drew me in and a substantial part of what sustain my engagement, but Griffin elevates it beyond even this.
Throughout the first several episodes, I definitely noticed a lot of heart and depth to the characters, but as the story progresses further… Wow. Just wow! I have literally found myself achieving more self-awareness and leaning into my potential for growth and self-empowerment, through the poignant emotional journey of protagonist, Dempsey Talis.
I don’t want to deprive anyone of experiencing the story for themselves, so I’ll avoid conveying specific plot points. Suffice to say, I have never read a story that masters the absurd with such finesse, that it hardly seems absurd at all, and all the while emanating heart, profundity, and seamless, non-contrived pop culture references.
Oh, and Griffin’s vocabulary. OMG. It’s a veritable paradise for any ardent lover of words!
I’m all in for this one, and I cannot imagine anyone reading this without having an amazing time. I hope to see A People’s History of Magic on the big screen one day. Of course, after that, I’ll inevitably say, “The book was better than the movie.”
Read A People’s History of Magic on Kindle Vella
As a fellow Vella contributor, I have also perused the platform searching for gems to read. I agree that A People’s History of Magic is one of the best serials on Vella. It’s a huge challenge to write in this format, so different than a regular novel, and Griffin really pulls it off. Thanks for sharing this insightful review! And for sharing your own story, The Fern and the Rose.
Thanks for your thoughts! Your writing is amazing too. I have been reading one Vella story at a time lately, or at least getting caught up on one at a time, so that I can maximize my attentiveness to and absorption of the work. It may take me longer this way, but it’s more rewarding for me and I think it honors each writer more too. Anyway, all this to say, I plan to eventually review “Who Wants to be a Sidekick?” too 🙂 I appreciate your comment and your unerring support for Kendra and her beautiful work
I love her writing! And this article explains her talent perfectly. She’s witty and humorous and dazzles with newness in her creativity. And she makes it seem effortless! Expect the unexpected with Griffin. If you’re into that kind of reading, you won’t be disappointed!
Great article!!!
Thank you, Phyllis!! Kendra is a master of her craft, and I can’t wait to see her work reach deeper stratums of public consciousness