pagesofpins's review against another edition
3.0
Galloway did a masterful job of blending the facts of Houdini's incredible life with fiction. We switch from the third person narrative of Houdini's career, affairs, and political intrigues to the first person narrative of the man who killed him (twice) and is now losing his memory in his old age (his memory is being replaced by confabulations, memories that never happened). Martin Strauss' narrative isn't nearly as strong as Houdini's throughout, and though the ending (that Martin has projected all the failures of his life onto Houdini's life, and his confabulated memories are the real ones) provides some food for thought, Martin's telling could have used a lot more depth, much more of why he cares so much about the people he has repressed because he can't handle his own failures. As it is, Strauss' life is conspicuously blank throughout the book, and I predicted the ending before the big reveal.
theoneandonlyredrose's review against another edition
1.0
Nothing like 'The cellist'. Could have been written by a different author. Dull flat story. Houdini parts were vaguely interesting but the trouble with books such as this is that one is left wondering which bits are true and which bits are the authors invention. 4 of our 6 bookclub members gave less than 4 out of 10. Very disappointing.
lilliangretsinger's review against another edition
2.0
I got to page 140 in this book. Though the sections with Houdini were interesting, the parts about Martin not so much. I think the author was trying to do too much with this book. A story about Houdini would have been great - or a story about Martin...but intertwining them confused the issue.
I liked the description of how Houdini did his tricks, but not the indepth detail about the lock mechanisms etc.
Just not for me.
I liked the description of how Houdini did his tricks, but not the indepth detail about the lock mechanisms etc.
Just not for me.
nrdespain's review against another edition
3.0
I'm quite conflicted with my feelings for this book. It was interesting and then it wasn't and then it was and so on.
I don't feel like I connected with Martin Strauss, the main character and the man who killed Houdini in the story. I didn't care for his story or his condition. Add the fact that he's an unreliable narrator and things are just set up for disappointment.
I enjoyed the Houdini background and alternate story and found myself Googling actual facts on the aforementioned Houdini, also Rasputin, Chung Ling Soo, the Romanov family and other historical figures mentioned. So the book did keep my interest there, to my surprise, since I don't particularly like historical fiction. Maybe because it mostly was fiction mingled with facts.
I liked it enough to finish it.
I don't feel like I connected with Martin Strauss, the main character and the man who killed Houdini in the story. I didn't care for his story or his condition. Add the fact that he's an unreliable narrator and things are just set up for disappointment.
I enjoyed the Houdini background and alternate story and found myself Googling actual facts on the aforementioned Houdini, also Rasputin, Chung Ling Soo, the Romanov family and other historical figures mentioned. So the book did keep my interest there, to my surprise, since I don't particularly like historical fiction. Maybe because it mostly was fiction mingled with facts.
I liked it enough to finish it.
lizmart88's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this author's book, the Cellist of Sarajevo (go read it now!). This book was just as well written, though the theme was not as poignant for me.
The (fictonal) story of Houdini and a man who kills him. It weaves together the facts about Houdini with a fantastical tale of spiritual mediums, political power plays, and revolution.
It examines the blurred lines between spiritualism and magic - and the enduring philosophical question, how do we know what's real? How do we determine reality? And when is our determination wrong?
Overall good book, I saw the hook at the end coming. I loved the discussion of false memories and true memories and how we build our perceptions of the world around us.
The (fictonal) story of Houdini and a man who kills him. It weaves together the facts about Houdini with a fantastical tale of spiritual mediums, political power plays, and revolution.
It examines the blurred lines between spiritualism and magic - and the enduring philosophical question, how do we know what's real? How do we determine reality? And when is our determination wrong?
Overall good book, I saw the hook at the end coming. I loved the discussion of false memories and true memories and how we build our perceptions of the world around us.
queensilber's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
It was a little confusing, but the other reviews are exagarating.
It was a very good book and i must admit: it really motivated me to start doing magic.
It was very good.
It was a very good book and i must admit: it really motivated me to start doing magic.
It was very good.
mactammonty's review against another edition
4.0
The ending is fantastic. I would not have missed even the slow parts for that ending. I will be looking for more books from this author in the future.
_maria_'s review against another edition
3.25
It has a very interesting set up and characters and even when the writing style confused the hell out of me i kept reading. Still, i think the first 150-200 pages could have been massively shortened. Intruiging story nonetheless.
landycole's review against another edition
2.0
Meh...this book was just ok. It had a great premise but was confusing and all over the place. It jumped back and forth between the past and present, and between Houdini and the guy that supposedly killed him. With all the back and forth, it became very hard to relate to any of the characters or care how their lives turned out. I also thought there was a missed opportunity to not make the storyline more suspenseful. The chapters where Houdini was trapped in the cabinet for an hour could have been made into much more and really given this book a bit of mystery. Also, I didn't like that Houdini's wife was made out to be such a b**ch. Maybe she was that way in real life but for the sake of the book, the woman deserved a little sympathy (she was the one being cheated on, repeatedly, after all!). All in all, I'd say skip this one and wait for the History Channel mini series about the guy.
mishale1's review against another edition
4.0
What an interesting, unique story. I can't resist a story with Houdini in it and I lucked out and found this book at a Dollar Store.
This story is about Martin. He has just been told by his doctor that he has an issue that will confuse his memories. Martin will remember things that didn't happen and feel as though they are his actual memories. How sad!
The book goes between stories, chapters alternate about Houdini and Martin.
Some of the book takes place in the 1920's, some an undefined year called "the present day".
I started to wonder early on, was Martin Houdini? Did Martin even know Houdini? When you can't believe the narrator's memories, you have to question everything.
This was a well written book that I tore through in about 24 hours.
This story is about Martin. He has just been told by his doctor that he has an issue that will confuse his memories. Martin will remember things that didn't happen and feel as though they are his actual memories. How sad!
The book goes between stories, chapters alternate about Houdini and Martin.
Some of the book takes place in the 1920's, some an undefined year called "the present day".
I started to wonder early on, was Martin Houdini? Did Martin even know Houdini? When you can't believe the narrator's memories, you have to question everything.
This was a well written book that I tore through in about 24 hours.