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Designing Miracles: Creating the Illusion of Impossibility
by Darwin Ortiz.
Reviewed by Graham Nichols
It's
time to ask your local cathedral to commence a peal of the bells, for Darwin
Ortiz has written a new book and a mere church can't do it justice.
While Mr Ortiz may be a superb card manipulator, I feel that his intellect is
his most powerful asset, especially when applied to the craft (I shall refrain
from saying 'art' - read the book to find out why) of deception.
Although I already own a first edition of Strong Magic; his latest tome is the
book I'd always hoped that someone would write. How to consider assembling the
various ingredients of effect, misdirection, showmanship, performance persona,
audience engagement, attitude and the many other nuances which make such an
experience MAGICAL for a lay audience.. That for which we all strive. The
emphasis here is on the actual design.
He is, as always, man enough to tackle the thorny areas which we tend to
conveniently forget. Such as the many cliches we all use, and dissect them for
our liberation. I found myself feeling increasingly guilty as I mentally ticked
all the bad points pertaining to my own magic. Managing to achieve a perfect
score for how not to do it. But, be of good cheer, for many remedies are
proffered and I found myself newly inspired by the time the last page was
turned.
Of course, he does not have all the answers, and is upfront about that. Nobody
does. What he does have is years of successful experience to impart, and the
generosity to share such insight. Many popular effects and routines are
discussed, so you don't have to be a Jedi Master of the pasteboards to
participate.
It's the sort of book which gets under your skin, because it's so close to home.
A literary 'In case of emergency break glass'. If you want to be a true magician
- buy it! There are many effects books in our libraries, but precious few which
tackle the core subject of being a magician. This does it in spades.
Now away to your internet forums and begin to slag it off. You know you want to.
Published by A1 MagicalMedia 2006.
200 pages hardbound from all good magic dealers.
© Graham Nichols, February 2007