The Magic of Youth

An Affair with Beauty: The Mystique of Howard Chandler Christy

By: James Philip Head

Narrated by: Pamela Almand

Fame, fortune, and beautiful models - Howard Chandler Christy had them all.

Christy was the most famous American painter of the Jazz Age, a time when an elite brotherhood of New York artists dominated the publishing world. Christy had eclipsed all of them with his ''Christy Girl'', an idealized woman who redefined beauty, influenced fashion, and inspired generations of women.

The Magic of Youth is the first book in An Affair with Beauty - The Mystique of Howard Chandler Christy, a biographical trilogy of the artist's epic life as told primarily through the eyes of his second wife, Nancy, a former Cosmopolitan model once considered to be one of the most beautiful women in America. As she reflects on her life, Nancy tells of first meeting Christy in 1912 and becoming his top model. She is captivated by his irresistible charm and the glamour of his enchanting world, but discovers that things are not always what they seem and even the great Christy has scandalous secrets.

©2016 James Philip Head (P)2016 James Philip Head

Absolutely Charming, Intriguing, and Educational

If you could sum up The Magic of Youth in three words, what would they be?

Truth, Beauty, Illusion

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the 3rd person story telling technique not typically found in a biography. Learning about Howard Chandler Christy though the eyes of his wife, who was also his model and muse, offered captivating detail and insight into the life of this major artist who was all but forgotten until Mr. Head's excellent work.

Which character – as performed by Pamela Almand – was your favorite?

Pamela Almand showed outstanding range and skill as the narrator of this story. If I had to pick a favorite character as performed by Almand it would be Nancy Palmer.

Who was the most memorable character of The Magic of Youth and why?

Howard Chandler Christy was the most memorable character. Learning about his genius and the historical significance of his talent and works was enriching.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Head is a brilliant writer and should be commended for immortalizing the life of Howard Chandler Christy for future generations.

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

Would you listen to The Magic of Youth again? Why?

The story unfolds to show you the man behind the name Howard Christy. I'm not always a fan of biographies, but this one is really worth a listen.
Every person has a story to tell, usually from more than one side and this is just the beginning. Beauty is really only skin deep and in the eye of the beholder, but when youthfulness fades do make sure that others can find it in you.
Howard Christy was always searching for true beauty, that which can be found in the character of a person. In this book it describes the commitment that is needed to find true beauty. Nothing that is of value comes easily and thus through hardships and hard work all can be achieved.
This story is inspiring from both Christy's and his wife's point of view. Find inspiration and humor in their story and really incorporate it into your own.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Howawrd thinks back to occurances in his life, he always sees the good and beauty in all. He acknowledges that which was not right and remembers it to be able to not do it again.
The time when he as a barefoot boy was named as the artist of a painting in the newspaper, his first brush with fame.

An excellent read!

If you could sum up The Magic of Youth in three words, what would they be?

Engrossing, Fun, Entertaining

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how it was written, you could use the words to see the story in your mind!

Which character – as performed by Pamela Almand – was your favorite?

I really liked Miss Palmer!

If you could rename The Magic of Youth, what would you call it?

Beauty with words?
I love the title, youth IS magic.

Any additional comments?

Great read, waiting for part 2!

Good listen to transport you in time

Where does The Magic of Youth rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is right up there. It makes a true story with all the historical details very interesting and thrilling and you know the writer knows what he is talking about.

What about Pamela Almand’s performance did you like?

I have listened to a lot of her audiobooks but this is the first biography I have listened to. She brings the same energy and emotion to this book to make even a non-fiction book exciting and interesting. She gives a distinct voice to each person and makes you feel like you're right there with them all.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't want it to end and I think it ended too abruptly without answering my questions but I'll certainly listen to the second one to find out the rest of the story.

The writing is beautiful, artistic, and lucid

The Magic of Youth: An Affair with Beauty: The Mystique of Howard Chandler Christy by James Philip Head was a difficult listen for me. The first hour provided over-the-top gushing compliments, flattery, and was more in line with the Yale vs. Duke basketball game from this year’s NCAA tournament. Twitter showed no one cares about the wealthy and privileged doing really well. With the basketball game, however, at least there was conflict., a winner and a loser. In the first part of this book, conflict was noticeably absent; it was a glorious homage to a painter and husband, with no flaws (until much later.)

The writing is beautiful, artistic, and lucid. But the author’s portrait is of a second model wife admiring her husband and thinking about the troubles of her neighbors from their Manhattan home overlooking New York’s Central Park, the story falls flat. The author works hard to separate what Nancy Palmer Christy said and what he imagined, but either way, conflict drives a story and I don’t think most readers would wait that long to get there.

While Howard Chandler Christy was a famous American painter, and the ”Christy Girl”, an icon, in 2016, I think this story falls short as a read for the general public. Eventually, the book gets to the inevitable issues, but a good editor should have recommended the author start in media res. The story is about a painter, so inevitably, using audio will be a challenge to begin with. I would have recommended the story be told backwards, from painting to painter, from brush to quill.

Still, there is a golden nostalgia to the book; sometimes the lexis seems erudite, sometimes sophomoric. But the author stays in form throughout the story, working to develop a picture of life we might ascribe to in fame and fortune. I look to The Great Gatsby as a way to take away everything from the protagonist while giving him everything. Unfortunately, this book gave everything too easily and waited too long to take it away. I know this compares a great fiction to a non-fiction, but I think it’s the organization of the book that keeps it out of the gallery.

A few might be interested in Howard Chandler Christy who are already fans, but I don’t think this base would expand much from this novel. If you like art, this book is a maybe listen, if you don’t, the book will confirm the stereotypes.

About the Narrator

Pamela Almand, the narrator, provides a warm reading, really saving the audiobook. Her pacing and speech provide a blanket to tuck each scene in. I would highly recommend her work with fellow narrator Scott Thomas in the novel In Movement There Is Peace: Stumbling 500 Miles Along the Way to the Spirit

Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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This reads like a novel and I can't wait for #2

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it is beautifully-written and the voice is perfect for the characters and story

Which scene was your favorite?

When Nancy first came to the mansion on the hill and discovered it was Howard's home and she was already falling in love with him. I liked the character's voices and the descriptions of the amazing times they lived in and the famous friends they had.

Who was the most memorable character of The Magic of Youth and why?

Howard

Any additional comments?

This was an easy book to listen to and the reader had a smooth pleasant delivery that matched what I pictured perfectly and was never boring as in some biographies I have listened to.

Review

Enjoyed the first and now I don't want to wait for the next two novels.

OUTSTANDING! THIS WILL MAKE A GREAT MOVIE!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Magic of Youth to be better than the print version?

The audio version brings the true, epic story of legendary painter Howard Chandler Christy to life. Although it is biographical in nature, the narrative flows like a best-selling novel, both lyrical and nostalgic. The print version is also excellent with 63 color and black and white photos and illustrations placed throughout the hardbound book. Both are of the highest quality.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Magic of Youth?

There are so many memorable scenes in the story. One such indelible event was Christy's lavish lawn party in the summer of 1912 at his mansion The Barracks where the guest of honor is the famous mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart. Hundreds of guests fill the Christy green in their summer finery.

Have you listened to any of Pamela Almand’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not, but I will definitely do so. Her voice is pitch perfect for the narration as she channels Nancy Palmer Christy, a former Cosmopolitan model and beauty. Her voices for each of the other characters (as expressed by and through Nancy) is incomparable, if not astounding.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The most famous painter of the Jazz Age. In his quest for true beauty, he captured an era.

Any additional comments?

A book reader's must. This is destined to become a classic---a rare story where true life becomes art, and the art of life is the true story.

Enjoyable listen

Would you listen to The Magic of Youth again? Why?

No, I usually only listen to a book once, but I have recommended this book to friends.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Magic of Youth?

I loved that it captured so lyrically a time and place I knew nothing about and took me on a journey. It reads like a novel.

Have you listened to any of Pamela Almand’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is the first book I've listened to her narrate.

Any additional comments?

I knew nothing about Howard Chandler Christy before I listened to this book. I do not typically listen to biographies, I prefer fiction generally. This book was slow for me to get involved with and I almost gave up after the first chapter but I am glad I did not. It read more like a novel and sucked me in.

Simply beautiful

This book was hard to put down as I felt as if I was in the moment captured by the author through each chapter. A must read or listen through audible! I can't wait for the following books to come out!!!