Absolute Magic is a book written by performer and mentalist Derren Brown. In this book, Brown shares his insights and thoughts on magic and performance, providing a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the art of illusion. One of the main themes of Absolute Magic is the idea of creating a genuine sense of wonder and intrigue in the audience. Brown argues that the most powerful magic performances are those that go beyond mere trickery and instead leave a lasting impression on the audience. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with the audience on an emotional level and using magic as a means to tell a compelling story. Brown also delves into the psychology behind magic, exploring how perception and illusion can be manipulated to create a sense of mystery.
Brown also delves into the psychology behind magic, exploring how perception and illusion can be manipulated to create a sense of mystery. He discusses various techniques and tricks that magicians can use to create a sense of astonishment, including misdirection, suggestion, and psychological manipulation. He encourages magicians to understand the psychology of their audience and to use this knowledge to craft their performances for maximum impact.
Derren Brown – Absolute Magic
Following the success of Pure Effect, Derren Brown offers a detailed study of the most difficult task facing any close-up magician: how to make magic convincing. This is a rich and witty journey through the thinking of Britains foremost current magical performer, whose television specials have revolutionized mentalism and drawn massive viewing figures. Absolute Magic offers the profoundest thinking, expressed in the most memorable and vivid prose, and is a necessary modern classic for the magician or mentalist striving to make his performances more powerful.
This is a manifesto for performing excellence, not a mere collection of routines. Those who study it carefully will find much practical information, not only on close-up magic (Derrens emotion packed presentation for the floating ring, for example) and mentalism, but also his unique approach to theatrical pick-pocketing.Originally privately published by the author, Absolute Magic was only available directly from Derren via his password protected web site. Those fortunate few who were able to negotiate the web site and place their order have cherished their copies. With his performing career no longer affording him the luxury of filling orders, he has authorized its publication and the book is now available.
“If the authors previous book, Pure Effect, was a challenge to the status quo of close-up magic, then Absolute Magic is an outright call to arms¦ he wants not only to alter the way we do our art and work, but he wants to transform the way we think and feel about it. …Mr. Brown also possesses considerable experience with pick-pocketing, a subject he explores in some technical as well as theatrical depth. There is some pragmatic contents of the book, which still serves as a vehicle for Mr. Browns thoughtful consideration of artistic issues.”
– Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii Magazine March 2000
Here is an excerpt from the book, cited in the Genii review, as characteristic of its contents:
“Have the courage to think from this starting-point, and to leave ninety percent of your repertoire behind you. Then go out to perform fresh and eager to improve even more, and from the moment you arrive, invent and walk your own prestige Carry it around with you with the quiet nature of the man confident in his authority. Communicate it thoroughly and subtly before any magic begins.
You are not a juggler, nor a mere amuser of the middle-classes: you are a magician. The main task of that wonderful job is to lift people out of themselves. You are a connection to a wondrous world, and if you forget that and just become a mingling trickster, then you are undercutting yourself, and denying yourself the shiver of an unrivalled type of job satisfaction. In keeping with our model, it is vital that you transport people: that in some sensitive way you challenge the comfort of the social context. In places where the posh gather and talk about silly things, you must gradually, softly, sound a bass note that rumbles. You act with caution, and you pace the mood of the event (and you dont cloud that judgment by swigging too much of the Champagne yourself), but you remember that you are there to create magic¦ and you bide your time.”
Warning: This is not a book for the casual reader nor one who is easily offended!
Warning: This is not a book for the casual reader nor one who is easily offended!
Another important aspect of Absolute Magic is Brown's exploration of the role of the magician as a performer. He argues that magic is not just about fooling the audience, but about creating a transformative experience for both the performer and the spectators. He encourages magicians to approach their art form with integrity and authenticity, not as a means to deceive, but as a way to awaken curiosity and inspire awe. Throughout the book, Brown also shares personal anecdotes and stories from his own experiences as a performer. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of being a magician and offers advice and guidance to aspiring magicians who are looking to take their performances to the next level. Overall, Absolute Magic is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the art of magic. Derren Brown's unique perspective shines through in this book, offering readers a deeper understanding of the principles and techniques behind successful magic performances. Whether you are a professional magician or simply have an interest in the art of illusion, Absolute Magic is a must-read..
Reviews for "The Psychology of Astonishment: Understanding Absolute Magic with Derren Brown"
1. John Doe - 2/5: I was really disappointed with "Absolute Magic Derren Brown". I had heard great things about Derren Brown's performances and was excited to see this one. However, the show fell flat for me. The tricks seemed predictable and I didn't feel any sense of astonishment or wonder. The pacing of the show was also off, with too many breaks between tricks that took away from the overall experience. I was expecting to be amazed, but I left feeling underwhelmed.
2. Sarah Smith - 3/5: While "Absolute Magic Derren Brown" had its moments, overall, it didn't live up to the hype for me. Some of the tricks were impressive, but others felt repetitive and lacked the wow factor. I also found the storytelling aspect of the show to be confusing at times, with unnecessary tangents that didn't add much to the overall performance. I expected to be completely enthralled by Derren Brown's magic, but unfortunately, it didn't capture my attention as much as I had hoped.
3. Michael Johnson - 2/5: "Absolute Magic Derren Brown" was a letdown for me. The tricks performed were not as mind-blowing as I had expected. They were either too simple to figure out or relied heavily on gimmicks that were quite obvious. I was hoping for a more immersive and interactive experience, but instead, I felt detached from the show. Derren Brown's stage presence and charisma were lacking, diminishing the overall impact of his magic. Overall, I found the show to be underwhelming and not worth the price of admission.