Kevin
Reality is Magic is Anson Chen's latest release, and it is chock-full of goodies for both magicians and mentalists alike.
The lovely folks over at The Neat Review did a great job of putting the book together, which looks gorgeous with its black-edged pages, giving the tome a mystical vibe that is consistent with Anson's persona, should you have the good fortune of encountering the man.
The contents are listed prominently on the outside cover of the volume, offering the reader a sneak peek at what's inside.
Here is a brief review of the aforementioned contents:
1. REALITY IS MAGIC
A short opening essay/poem that sets the tone of the book.
2. WISHSTONE
An intimate miracle that involves a floating piece of paper transforming into something meaningful for the spectator. Simple in its concept, but profound in its impact. I can't wait to perform this one.
3. REAL MAGIC IN FAKE MAGIC
Essay about how to unearth the 'real' magic in what we do - by infusing honesty, by shifting our perspectives, by ridding our performances of B.S.
4. BLINDSPOT
A dynamic coin routine presented as a lesson in attention control. I've seen Anson perform this at a convention, and the reactions he garners from this are very strong.
5. ABRACADABRA
Essay on scripting, wherein Anson brings to light the importance of word choice and then provides a 5-step process on how to develop your own scripts.
6. NON-DUALITY
A notable subtlety as part of an effect dealing in 'Dual Reality', as some of you might be familiar with. This one's really clever, and will have many of you shaking your heads as you read this, thinking 'why didn't I think of that?'
7. OUT OF HONG KONG
A new take on Vernon's Out of Sight, Out of Mind, developed by Anson and his friend Kelvin Chow. Removes a lot of the tedium from the original routine, resulting in a streamlined version with none of the B.S. and all of the punch. Oh, and for what it's worth, it's FASDIU.
8. THE MENTALISTS'S DILEMMA I
Essay/thought piece/anecdote on a confrontation Anson encountered after a performance in Bali. What would you do?, he asks.
9. THOUGHT CRIME
A two-phase prediction effect involving organic, everyday items. Combines several classic principles in a devious way.
10. CLOSING THE GAP
Another subtlety, this one touching upon how to improve the less favorable outcomes of a classic principle. In this example, Anson uses ESP cards, which should tickle the fancy of any mentalist reading this.
11. THOUGHT OF CARD TRANSPOSITION
Another winner that I've seen Anson fry spectators with live. Thought-of Card Across: simple, clean, elegant.
12. THE MENTALIST'S DILEMMA II
A continuation of pt. 1 of the essay with the same heading. In this follow-up, Anson explores the conundrum in more detail, giving the reader more thinking material to chew on.
13. CACTUS
Some of you might already have what's needed to perform this effect, while the necessary material(s) might be out of range for others. Regardless, for those fortunate enough to have all the requisite items needed for this effect, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser, especially if performed during a spectator's birthday, as Anson suggests in the text. Ends with a memorable souvenir for the spectator in question - what's not to like?
14. SERIAL KILLER
Once again, Anson employs his tactics of combining a handful of clever psychological gambits to create a practical routine using simple props that ends up playing big in the brain-busting department. This one also requires something 'extra', but is more simple to obtain.
15. UBER MIRACLE
My favorite piece from the book, to the point where I feel that this effect earns the book its title. Demonstrates how a simple instance of proper framing - in this instance, time travel - can elevate an amusement to the level of a miracle. The only downside to this is that the circumstances involved have to be just right, but once they are... hoo boy, it's game over for any witnesses involved.
16. SHADOW PLAY
Anson's handling of the Haunted Deck. I couldn't find my I.T. to try this out, but from reading the instructions, it seems quite practical and visual.
17. THE FULL MOON
An exercise in imagination involving two imaginary coins transforming into real ones. Takes inspiration from Garrett Thomas' modern classic "Imagination Coins", so if you like that effect, odds are you'll enjoy this one too.
18. EVALUATE
Essay about Anson's approach to critiquing, evaluating, and therefore improving one's performance after a show. As Anson alludes to, this crucial activity is what separates the amateurs from the pros.
19. PHOENIX
One of the book's topological effects, wherein a burned card miraculously reappears, unharmed, inside a sealed deck. What's notable about this routine is its conditions: as Anson writes, "there is no complex loading procedure, the magician never gets near the sealed deck, the brand new sealed deck can be displayed in front of the audience the entire time, and the deck can be given away at the end."
20. LOCKDOWN
Another instance where Anson takes a simple principle and makes it play much bigger by layering it with added psychology, gambits, and contextual framing. What I liked about this one is its 'out' - read it and you'll see what I mean.
21. BEST STORY WINS
The final essay, this one about the power of story. Which is not to say that it's about telling fables per se, but about designing and influencing the type of stories your spectators will be left telling themselves and each other after your performance. Anson lists a fair amount of distinct examples in this essay too, which all add together to drive the point home.
All in all, this book was a treat to read and more than worth its asking price (I would've bought it for the essays alone!) The illustrations are beautiful, the photographs feel timeless, and the instructions describing the effects are clear and easy to follow.
If you've read this far, then thank you. My hope is that this review steers even more people towards the enlightened decision of adding Reality is Magic to their carts, libraries, and repertoires.