“Confessions of a Conjuror” by stage and
television English mentalist Derren Brown, published by Channel 4 Books in October 2010. This
is one of three books by Derren Brown aimed at the general public, the other
two being “Tricks of the Mind” and “Happy:
Why more or less everything is absolutely Fine”.
Derren Brown is also a very talented painter, and he shares his caricatures of famous faces in the book “Portraits”.
In the magic community Derren’s books, “Absolute Magic” and “Pure Effect” are very much sought after, and sell for
large sums of money when they become available for sale.
In nine
chapters “Confessions of a Conjuror“explores the mind of one of the world’s most
famous, contemporary illusionists.
Through the entire book Derren describes the
performance of a single card trick to a group of two men and one woman in a
restaurant. He leads us step by step through the performance and exactly what
is going through his mind at the time. We discover his restaurant work and the
card trick and along the way learn little whims about the author, why he loves
red Bicycle playing cards as opposed to a blue backed pack. He delves into his
past life, talks about his career, and other information.
Derren also gives us his opinion about on the
subject of love, he talks about the history of magic and magicians, secret
moves, the importance of the number three, he relates how he met with Hugh
Grant and he talks about magic acts.
Describing the card trick for the company at the
table, he goes further with his thoughts on Dai Vernon, Paul Daniels, the
Davenport brothers. He describes human nature and his opinion of the press.
Towards the end of the book we find out that
Derren has a little library of self-help literature in his bathroom and his
thoughts on hygiene, what his own rituals are, how he warms up before a show,
and his views on painting. We learn about his first magic box and the book from
which he started learning magic.
In the chapter eight, part entitled “Spectator
vs. Participant” Derren writes about his opinion on these two different terms. He
presents his thoughts on magic being ‘art’ and what would be real art.
This is by no means a classic magic book, and if
you think to learn dozens of magical effects from Derren, then this is not correct
book for you. If as a reader you search for inspiration, ways to grow as a
performer and psychological approach, then you will be more than satisfied.
Written in a most enjoyable, entertaining and
easy to read way, I highly recommend this book.
Confessions of Conjuror, 327 pages, hardbound, black and white illustrations.
Editor: Lee Alex
Primjedbe
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