talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

Session - Written by Joel Givens (a meeting with Joshua Jay!)
Close up magic - Numerous Effects.

Cost

£22.00 - Softbound from:

http://magicmagic.co.uk/store/index.php ... ductId=262

http://www.dudethatscoolmagic.co.uk/aca ... html#aB305


Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

2-4 Depending on the Trick!

Review
They say:

This book is geared toward magicians (sorry normal people) and details the magic of an incredible talent: Joel Givens. He’s also a longtime friend.

We bucked all the trends and did something very different. You see, for nearly five hundred years, magic has been conveyed "recipe style" in books. Tricks are a list of materials and steps to follow. But can a magic book tell a story?

Session is my answer. It’s not for everyone, and I’m sure there will be readers who can’t be bothered with plot and context. But for those who have always wanted to curl up with a magic book and just read, I think Session will be a welcome addition.

Each trick is set within a scene protagonists, antagonists, hecklers, and a cute waitress it’s all here, and it’s all explained.

An Extract from the book can be found here:


http://www.murphysmagicsupplies.com/ima ... SAMPLE.pdf
I Say:

I was looking in the summer for a book to take on holiday that wasn't the Art of Astonishment or Corinda. I wanted to be able to learn something and practise without a bulky hardback and 1940s pictures in it. Session had just been released and due to the Large Bicycle Card back picture on the front I went for it (Yes that really was the influence!)

I am soooo happy that I picked this up!

First - The book is written in a story style and follows the evening when Joel Givens and Joshua Jay meet up in a Diner for a social magical session. The commentary is such that you really do follow the evening with them and as you read it you will have jealous feelings of 'I wish I could go and join in one of these' (or you will be smug and be able to relate to the style of evening.)
There are times in the book where the performers do get heckled or backed into a corner but they are geared around a fun evening and the other guests in the Diner/Bar are the (unsuspecting) audience at various times.
There are close up foolers of all sorts in this book from Sweet Straw using a stirrer and sugar sachet. Through to Laser Aces using a DIY card set up and there is something in here for everyone! (including a peekless think a card which got Joel very wound up!!)
The feel of this book is informal and reminds me a little of the Art of Astonishment in the fact that that it doesn't concentrate on one particular genre - though there is a cards bias it isn't only card magic!

If anyone has seen 'Talk about tricks' with Joshua Jay then you will recognise some of the effects in the book but included in the book are the reasons for coming up with the final trick and a few variations and ideas - It's quite nice to see a trick develop and with one of the monte handlings on here they take the basic trick and the outcome they want to achieve and bring them together with various ideas.

The book is crammed with things to try in real world situations and the multiple 'select a card' is so workable and easy enough to allow you to just work on the presentation that it is a killer.

Overall
9/10 - A nice addition to a collection.
A great way to while away a long plane ride.
The perfect holiday book.

nice review, I was actually thinking about asking for a review of this, because it seemed like a really cool idea for a magic book. Are all the effects doable? And exactly how do they describe the methods? What I mean is, is it just magicians telling eachother how to do the effects, or is it actually told in a cool novellike way? Thanks!

The explainations are set out in the usual way of:
Preparation (if any)
Phase one
Phase two
etc...
Variations and alternate handlings....

It is very easy to read but I would criticise the way that some pictures appear before the explaination (ie the page before) but that is only minor.

I would also add that all of the effects are doable - some are great semi impromtu ideas that you can do without having 'special things' about!

Thanks, I think you just took my money away and gave it to Joel Givens...

Gotta be said, this is a pretty good book... easily three or four killer routines that can go straight into an act. I'm thinking particularly of the Karate Coin, Memory Deck routine, Laser Aces and the Cannibal Routine.

The writing style is different, but not a major attraction to me, to be honest. Not that it's bad, but I didn't see what all the hype was about. Still, clearly written in terms of effect and method, and you can't ask for more than that.

Worth picking up (particularly with the dollar at the moment - get one for a friend as well...)

Liam.

I fourth the above, great book with lots of useful stuff and some handy theory thrown in too. One thing, I'm a bit confused with part of the explanation for the trick I liked the most, Human Slot Machine. Maybe I'm being stupid but if anyone 'got' it and is willing to help I'd be most appreciative...

Hi Bronz,

Which bit didn't you get?
PM me and I'll see if I can help!

Thanks

Andy

Joshua Jay will be doing a lecture for my IBM Ring in Feb. I hope to get this book then. It sounds great.
Al