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100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
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Confabulation (definition): In psychology a confabulation is a memory disturbance, defined as the production of fabricated, distorted or misinterpreted memories about oneself or the world, without the conscious intention to deceive (Wikipedia).
The Confabulist is an intriguing story that combines the lives of Harry Houdini and Martin Strauss, a man who believes that he has killed Houdini-twice. The timeline skips between Martin in the present, where we learn that he has just been diagnosed with a disease of the memory, and the late 1890's through 1920's with both Martin's and Houdini's perspectives throughout the building and height of Houdini's career.
With a plot thick in illusion and suspense, I found this to be a compelling and quick read. Though we have somewhat of an unreliable narrator, I was still swept away in the culture of the magical acts in the 1920's, which was richly described. Learning how some of the illusions were performed was also a bonus for me. Also, seeing well known historical figures such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Romanov's involvement with Spiritualism added another layer of mystery to the many that are present within this novel.
" Substance and illusion. Knowing which is which is difficult, maybe impossible."
This Advanced Reading Copy was received for free in return for an honest review
Confabulation (definition): In psychology a confabulation is a memory disturbance, defined as the production of fabricated, distorted or misinterpreted memories about oneself or the world, without the conscious intention to deceive (Wikipedia).
The Confabulist is an intriguing story that combines the lives of Harry Houdini and Martin Strauss, a man who believes that he has killed Houdini-twice. The timeline skips between Martin in the present, where we learn that he has just been diagnosed with a disease of the memory, and the late 1890's through 1920's with both Martin's and Houdini's perspectives throughout the building and height of Houdini's career.
With a plot thick in illusion and suspense, I found this to be a compelling and quick read. Though we have somewhat of an unreliable narrator, I was still swept away in the culture of the magical acts in the 1920's, which was richly described. Learning how some of the illusions were performed was also a bonus for me. Also, seeing well known historical figures such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Romanov's involvement with Spiritualism added another layer of mystery to the many that are present within this novel.
" Substance and illusion. Knowing which is which is difficult, maybe impossible."
This Advanced Reading Copy was received for free in return for an honest review
amn028's review against another edition
3.0
The story is interesting but gets bogged down in details at times. I did get bored a few times but I'm glad I stuck with it. The ending had a couple of nice twists to it.
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 against another edition
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.