{"product_id":"the-magic-kingdom-9781628976083","title":"The Magic Kingdom","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrimming with Elkin's comic brilliance and singular wordplay, \u003ci\u003eThe Magic Kingdom\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of Eddy Bale, who, determined to learn from the ghastly experience of his son's long, drawn-out death, decides to give seven terminally ill children a dream vacation before they die.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbandoned by his wife and devastated by the death of his twelve-year old son, Eddy Bale becomes obsessed with the plight of terminally ill children and develops a plan to provide a last hurrah dream vacation for seven children who will never grow-up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEddy and his four dysfunctional chaperones journey to the entertainment capital of America-Disney World. Once they arrive, a series of absurdities characteristic of an Elkin novel-including a freak snowstorm and a run-in with a vengeful Mickey Mouse-transform Eddy's idealistic wish into a fantastic nightmare.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStanley Elkin\u003c\/strong\u003e (1930-1995) was an award-winning author of novels, short stories, and essays. Born in the Bronx, Elkin received his BA and PhD from the University of Illinois and in 1960 became a professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis where he taught until his death. His critically acclaimed works include the National Book Critics Circle Award-winners \u003cem\u003eGeorge Mills\u003c\/em\u003e (1982) and \u003cem\u003eMrs. Ted Bliss\u003c\/em\u003e (1995), as well as the National Book Award finalists \u003cem\u003eThe Dick Gibson Show\u003c\/em\u003e (1972), \u003cem\u003eSearches and Seizures\u003c\/em\u003e (1974), and \u003cem\u003eThe MacGuffin \u003c\/em\u003e(1991). His book of novellas, \u003cem\u003eVan Gogh's Room at Arles\u003c\/em\u003e, was a finalist for the PEN Faulkner Award. Many of his novels are available or forthcoming in new editions from Dalkey Archive Press.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRick Moody\u003c\/strong\u003e is the author of six novels, including \u003ci\u003eThe Ice Storm\u003c\/i\u003e; three collections of short stories, including \u003ci\u003eDemonology\u003c\/i\u003e; and three works of non-fiction. He writes regularly about music for \u003ci\u003eSalmagundi\u003c\/i\u003e magazine and teaches at Tufts University, in the greater Boston\/Cambridge area.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Dalkey Archive Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51475080446226,"sku":"9781628976083","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f5a30f87-b8a5-4c19-b1ad-71f4af50f855.jpg?v=1752586345","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-magic-kingdom-9781628976083","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}