Books like Turn, magic wheel by Dawn Powell
Dennis Orphen, an aspiring novelist, slides into the life of Effie Callingham—former spouse of celebrated writer Andrew Callingham—by stealing her story for his own manuscript. As scenes unravel in New York’s bustling streets, Powell layers sharp wit with a sharp critique of the literary elite, exposing the betrayals and absurdities that pervade the scene. Against a backdrop of rain-slicked avenues and a city that itself becomes a central character, the novel blends satire with pathos, showcasing Powell’s deft humor and poignant insight into ambition, romance, and the fragile realities of writers’ lives.
First publish date: 1936
Genre: General Fiction/General Fiction
Authors: Dawn Powell
★
★
★
★
★
4.0 (1 community ratings)
How are these books recommended?
The books recommended for Turn, magic wheel by Dawn Powell are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.
Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier
for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.
Books similar to Turn, magic wheel (20 similar books)
John Kennedy Toole’s comic novel follows the eccentric, obese Ignatius J. Reilly as he roams the streets of New Orleans in vivid, hilariously authentic dialogue.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A contemporary day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a 1920s London politician’s wife, as she prepares for an evening party and is haunted by memories of youth, friendships, and past loves.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In post‑war New York, Newland Archer faces a dilemma when his fiancée’s cousin, the rebellious Ellen Olenska, challenges his elite society’s expectations and his own loyalty.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Zora Neale Hurston’s Pulitzer‑winning novel follows Janie Crawford’s journey of self‑discovery and empowerment, mapping her search for love, independence, and identity against the backdrop of the African‑American South during the early 20th century.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In the Glacial epoch, Cro-Magnon woman Ayla, raised by Neanderthals, seeks belonging and love after leaving her clan, only to discover a new community that embraces her heritage.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A 1922 portrait of a young Harvard‑educated aesthete and his glamorous wife whose pursuit of wealth and freedom in New York’s roaring nightlife leads to self‑destruction and a critique of the nouveau riche.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Sinclair Lewis’s classic novel follows Carol Kennicott as she adjusts to the conformity of Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, exposing the commercialism and decline of individual freedom in 1920s America.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Penelope Keeling reflects on a bohemian childhood, wartime romance, and a priceless family portrait as her children debate its future.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Widow and her three orphaned children strive to build a life together in a modest California town, navigating the challenges of post‑war America and the enduring bonds of family.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Three sisters struggle to reconcile their faith with the world outside the convent.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A darkly humorous account of addiction and self-discovery.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Maskelle is summoned back to the capital to repair a 100‑year rite that has been damaged.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset’s historical epic follows 14th‑century Norwegian woman Kristin Lavransdatter through devotion, love, family, and societal upheaval, set against a richly detailed backdrop of medieval Norway.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A psychological exploration of Mary Dunne’s complex life and relationships, set against the backdrop of New York.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Vega Johnson, a successful investment counselor in Los Angeles, abandons her cautious life to pursue passion and vengeance after her ex marries a powerful, dangerous man. She dives into a world of erotic intrigue, criminal ambition, and psychological power play.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A woman's journey through obsession and memory, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the fallibility of memory.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Some Other Similar Books
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullersThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Have a similar book in mind? Let others know!
Please login to submit books!