Magic*pure Effect: Direct Mindreading And Magical Artistry
Once in a while, a magic book comes along that stands out amongst the hundreds of new releases. Such a book is Derren Brown’s Pure Effect.
Derren blends both magic and mentalism in an exciting modern package. Eschewing the traditional fence-sitting stance of the mentalist, he presents himself as a psychological illusionist. Using elements of psychology, hypnosis and often, pure luck, he creates the illusion of a sixth sense.
PART ONE – This deals with his approach to table-hopping performance. He made the valid point that most people will never see another magician live and close-up in their lives, so we need to give them long lasting happy memories of the event. We don’t want them to think “Oh no, here comes a brat in a tuxedo doing those lame card tricks we all saw at Junior School”. Derren describes some of his methods of gaining rapport, discussing tactics from NLP and hypnosis. More controversial is his slightly tongue in cheek method for charming female bookers. Without revealing anything, if you’ve got the guts to try the lines, and can do so without coming on slimy, it’ll work. More practical perhaps, is his discussion of using similar tactics for improving the emotional impact of classics like “Out of This World”.
The final part of the chapter deals with taking risks. Drawing on the style of Banachek’s “Psychological Subtleties” (a must, folks!), he doesn’t promise 100% success, but when you do hit on it, it will knock the audience for six. Interestingly, he believes that outs only confuse effects like these, so only a small minority of magicians will try his suggestions. Derren is a supremely confident performer, so pulls this off in style.
PART TWO – This chapter explains his favorite routines in detail. He hopes that readers will take ideas from these effects and adapt theme to their style. With undisguised contempt, he bemoans the conjurers who blatantly copy routines.
You are expected to be reasonably adept at card sleights in this chapter. Moves like the pass and the Tenkai palm are frequently used. Like Lennart Green, Mr. Brown loves visual bold magic.
PART THREE – Probably the most useful section of the book, dealing with the use of drama and intelligent routining to make the mindreading feats seem real. Too often we see a mentalist ask someone to think of a number, only to reveal it in a dull, uninspired manner. Derren discusses using NLP to force cards and control options, and details two superb verbal card forces.
The final section of the book contains two very satirical magic adverts. Anyone who has ever been hooked in on a dealer’s spiel only to waste $40 on something they could have made for nothing will applaud this part (I did!). Derren is also a very accomplished caricature artist, and some of his work appears in the book.
The use of florid language, coupled with his camp-y sarcastic writing style, may not win him many fans. Also, his disdain for standard gimmicks and tricks might upset you. On the other hand, in his FINAL THOUGHTS, he does urge magicians to eschew the 2auto-erotic obsession” of magic and to embrace drama, and most of all, life. Amongst Generation X-ers, the stereotype of a conjurer is a socially inept loser, when it should be, as Robert Houdin said “A great actor playing the part of a magician”.
I recommend this book without reservation. Buy it, argue with it, and learn!!
# 164 pages
# Publisher: H & R Magic Books; 3rd Ed edition (2000)
# Language: English
# ASIN: B0006RIRF2
