Neal Scryer and Friends
Posted: Sep 7th, '12, 02:38
I haven't seen this discussed at all on this forum, so I thought I'd take a minute to review it.
I received Scryer and Friends within a week of its release, and have read it. Upon reading around the internet, I've seen this book hyped as the best minds in mentalism contributing their grade "A" performance material.
That was most certainly an exaggeration.
It is not full of their very best material - I expect that most contributors are canny enough to keep their signature creations close to their vests to prevent numerous copycats masquerading as being at the same level they are, or performing their work so shamefully that the method is obvious to the most casual observer.
BUT, having said that, the bulk of what is there is very strong and will be of use to most serious mentalists, despite the fact that many of the contributions are aimed at psychics. I was very put off by the fact that there was so much just aimed at psychics, and I was tempted to skip over effects that didn't appeal to me initially. In the end, I read every word, and I'm glad that I did.
In fact, a clever reader who may otherwise be put off by routines put across this way will often see ways to develop them to suit their tastes. I recently performed an effect that was described in about five pages, and I remember thinking how much I hated it as I read it (it was pure psychic stuff). However, at the very end of the section was a single paragraph that tendered alternative performance options. It was a throw-away, footnote sort of comment, but I could instantly grasp that the thing had potential and it is now a staple in my stage show. Clean, easy, baffling and impressive. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it was worth the price of the book, but it was a good start.
As far as price, it was expensive. Having said that, I feel that the book is neither a good deal nor a bad one. I just think that when one is a serious mentalist, certain items are priced to ensure exclusivity, and that is the way of things. Limited runs and high prices. Performing mentalists will see value in content that will improve the quality of their act, posers will stick to the video effects that they can find on youtube.
In fine, though not quite living up to all the hype that has been thrown around the internet, this is a worthy offering of some of the best brains around today.