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The Magic Egg, and Other Stories: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

The Magic Egg, and Other Stories: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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The Magic Egg, and Other Stories is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Stockton, Frank R. (1834–1902).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The Magic Egg, and Other Stories" by Frank R. Stockton is a collection of short stories likely written during the late 19th century. The stories delve into themes of wonder, adventure, and human nature, often woven through fantastical elements and engaging narratives. The story begins with Herbert Loring, a young man gathering friends for a theatrical exhibition where he showcases magical acts, including a fascinating display involving a magic egg that seemingly brings a chick to life. At the start of "The Magic Egg," Loring is set to entertain a select audience at a private club theatre. He begins with a display of colorful fireworks, which captivates the audience, though his true intent is revealed with the magic egg. He hypnotizes the entire audience without their knowledge, leading them to believe in the reality of the magical performance. This opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of themes like perception, reality, and the dynamics of illusion, particularly as Edith Starr, Loring’s betrothed, discovers the truth behind the spectacle and challenges Loring’s manipulation of reality. As the curtain falls on this initial act, readers are left to ponder the moral implications of Loring's experiment and the nature of belief itself.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The Magic Egg, and Other Stories
  • Author credits: Stockton, Frank R. (1834–1902)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Short stories
  • United States -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
  • Category: Short Stories

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

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