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The Magic Gourmet
by Lewis Jones
Softback 154 pages
44 effects and routines and about a hundred photographs by Susheli Devi
Reviewed by Al Smith
Available from dealers or direct from Lewis at 23 Woodbastwick Road, London, SE26 5LG or: lewis.jones@ukonline.co.uk £25-00 post paid mainland UK, Europe £3-00. Elsewhere £5-00. Payment by credit card (VISA, MASTERCARD, EUROCARD), or PayPal. So no excuses.
The
book is printed and bound in England by Biddles of Kings Lynn. Now
there’s a name to conjure with. If they move to newer premises will that qualify
as a Biddle Move? Yes, I know. Groan.
This is not a brand new hot-off-the-press next week book. It’s been on general
release for a couple of years now. This means, of course, that for some it
qualifies as an ancient history book. For me it comes under the heading of
undiscovered gem. As far as Duncan and I can tell it somehow slipped under
MagicWeek’s radar and certainly dodged under mine. All this being so the
following comments are for those unfortunates—in which group I count myself—who
missed the book first time around.
If Lewis has a trademark style it’s the clever application (and thorough
disguising) of mathematical principles; usually applied to cards. Lovers of the
sort of material that exercises the brain rather than the digits will not be
disappointed. You’ll definitely have some fun with this book. That said, the
move makers among us are not neglected. And there’s variety here. It’s not all
cards.
Some of the stuff requires little more than smooth handling whereas some
oddments are borderline challenging. There are card moves certainly, but also
coin tricks and a fair slice of rubber banditry. There’s even a book test
dissertation. I’m not sure why I said “even,” after all why
shouldn’t there be a book test? The Grey Elephant In Denmark gets an
interesting dose of refurbishment, with Lewis (as usual) tackling some of the
presentational problems inherent with maths-base magic.
Lewis offers some thoughts on the Any Card At Any Number plot and comes
up with a very serviceable card effect. I think it qualifies more as a starting
point for further thought rather than a strong entry in the ACAAN stakes. The
performer handles the cards a bit too much for my liking and the thought-of card
is actually removed from the pack after it’s been thought of. But, to repeat, it
does stimulate the grey cells.
Grab It is a neat idea designed to outwit a certain kind of spectator. It
culminates in an adaptation of the Steinmeyer Nine Card Problem. Ideal for
awkward heckle-bent spectators when a simple smack-in-the-mouth isn’t
appropriate.
By way of inducement to potential buyers, the back cover of the book carries
some general quotes from a variety sources, all in praise of the work of Mister
Jones. The following, from one of magic’s very dim and lesser lights caught my
attention:
“Lewis Jones really does ponder his subject at length. In this respect I am
reminded of Paul Curry and Stewart James ... His thoughtful and analytical
approach is not at all out of place in such company.”
Apparently I wrote this in Abra, though the exact location escapes me and
Lewis doesn’t identify it. I presume it was a review, but he doesn’t identify
the work under discussion. This is something I’m rather glad about, because the
statement fits everything of his that I’ve ever come across. And it certainly
suits Magic Gourmet. But, probably what I like most about Lewis’s
material is that it gets me thinking. This never was a pushover, but these days
it’s much more of a challenge. Lewis Jones virtually demands it.
There is, of course, much more than can be even hinted at here and the book is
worthy of in-depth investigation. If, like me, you missed it in its first trip
round the block, try to check it out this time.
© A E Smith, November 2009