Magic Kingdom by Russell Banks

A dirt poor family consisting of a mom and 5 kids find their way to Florida in the company of a Shaker elder promising a fresh start. He brings them to their new community and family in the Shaker compound in rural central Florida in the early 1900's. The author transcribed reel to reel tapes that the oldest boy made at the end of his life and this is his story. Russell Banks gives us an unusual coming of age story and insights into the magic kingdom of New Bethany Shakers before it became the Magic Kingdom we know today. I was intrigued by the way the story was presented - did the author really discover these waterlogged tapes by accident and spend time transcribing and writing this memoir or is it a complete fantasyland? Harley Mann and his love for a fragile young woman is a sweet love story as well as insight into the Shaker philosophy and the land grab in Florida making this an interesting mix that will appeal to readers of Amor Towles and Jamie Ford.   4 stars