A new book that features ‘powerful, entertaining close-up mentalism that has been sharpened to a razor’s edge by constant use in the real world.’
The book contains a total of 13 mental effects that can be performed close-up that use a variety of sleights from the repertoire of close-up magic and common utilities and approaches from the field of mentalism.
Cost: £29.99 (
http://www.alakazam.co.uk)
Difficulty
The effects are not for beginners. The sleights involved are not necessarily difficult, but it is their combination with the principles of mentalism and the experience of presenting mental effects that will need attention in making the most of these effects. All the required sleights are extremely well explained and accompanied by colour photographs throughout the book.
Review
This is a real working mentalists dream! Many mental effects are described to be performed for the stage or parlour, but this collection developed by Looch allows you to perform these very clever effects in a close-up and impromptu setting. He has developed these effects to be truly ‘simple and direct’, and I can assure you that these will simply astound your audience. Here is a preview of some of the effects:
A Nod to Pocket Watch: grounded in a discussion of free will (oooh I do like that!), this effect has the spectator name a country and pick a playing card. The card is revealed from a prediction note that was written before the choice of card, and then from a small tin, a second prediction note is taken out to contain the name of the country that was chosen!
Intuitive Aii: A deck of playing cards is shown to the spectator. They are mixed haphazardly to be face up and face down. The deck is spread and the performer names the precise number of face up cards. The deck is again mixed in similar fashion. The performer riffles the cards and names the precise number of face up cards. The performer then calls out each and every face up card!
A Watch Presentation: Two spectators are asked to synchronise their watches, one spectator holds his or her watch covered from view, the other is asked to change his or her watch to a random time, after which the other spectator’s watch is shown to match the time that was chosen!
All the effects utilise the effect of timing, building to an impossible conclusion, and performed with everyday objects. In addition to the ten main effects, you also get full instructions on all required sleights (unlike some advanced books in magic) additional insights into performing the effects (timing, presentational thoughts, and subtleties), and three bonus effects, including
Match Box Monte,
I Always Get My Way, and a
Dual Book Test.
Overall
This book is a really nice collection of mental effects with a lateral edge. They all challenge our sense of time, cause and effect, and perception, while remaining true to the spirit of high quality close-up magic and mentalism. The book is nicely presented and well produced, with very high quality pages and colour pictures. While it only contains 13 effects (hmmm…13 effects and 13 steps), it contains much more by way of advice and presentation. Moreover, many of the principles that lie behind the effects can be used in so many different and innovative ways.
I give this 10 out of 10!