The Magic City by Edith Nesbit

A young boy named Philip discovers a magical artifact that allows him to create a miniature city, which he populates with tiny people from his village. As the city grows and prospers, Philip learns valuable lessons about responsibility, morality, and the consequences of playing God. However, things take a dark turn when the villagers begin to develop their own free will, leading to chaos and destruction in the Magic City.

By Edith Nesbit · First published 1910 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 12 chapters · 72,133 words

First lines

Philip Haldane and his sister lived in a little red-roofed house in a little red-roofed town. They had a little garden and a little balcony, and a little stable with a little pony in it -- and a little cart for the pony to draw; a little canary hung in a little cage in the little bow-window, and the neat little servant kept everything as bright and clean as a little new pin.

• Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

The Magic City is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edith Nesbit, dated 1910 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Edith Nesbit
• Date: 1910 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
• Length: 72,133 words
• Structure: 12 chapters, 1,809 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Magic City by Edith Nesbit
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Similar titles

• Accidental Magic Or Dont Tell All You Know by Edith Nesbit
• En Tout Cas by Edith Nesbit
• Grandsire Triples by Edith Nesbit
• The Dyers Dog by Edith Nesbit
• Septimus Septimusson by Edith Nesbit
• Chloe by Edith Nesbit

Genres

• Children's Literature — The story revolves around a child protagonist who embarks on a fantastical adventure.
• Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements, mythical creatures, and an imaginary city.
• Adventure — The protagonist undertakes a journey, facing various challenges and overcoming obstacles.

Tags

Fantasy · Children's Literature · Adventure · Magic Realism · Imagination · Family · Siblings · Friendship · Growing Up · Coming of Age · Victorian Era · London

Contents

• THE BEGINNING
• DELIVERER OR DESTROYER
• LOST
• THE DRAGON-SLAYER
• ON THE CARPET
• THE LIONS IN THE DESERT
• THE DWELLERS BY THE SEA
• UPS AND DOWNS
• ON THE 'LIGHTNING LOOSE'
• THE GREAT SLOTH
• THE NIGHT ATTACK
• THE END

More by Edith Nesbit

• The Mystery of the Semi-Detached (1924)
• John Charringtons Wedding (1924)
• The Ebony Frame (1924)
• In the Dark (1924)
• Man-size in Marble (1924)
• The Dragon Tamers (1910)
• The Power of Darkness (1924)
• Five Children and It (1908)
• All works by Edith Nesbit