The Magician's Study: A Guided Tour of the Life, Times, and Memorabilia of Robert "The Great" Rouncival (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

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Passing itself off as the spiel of an articulate tour guide, Seamon's ingenious first novel takes the reader on a guided perambulation through the study of fictional Jazz Age magician Robert "The Great" Rouncival. With the presentation of each piece of memorabilia, another episode from the late magician's life is revealed, from his youth in upstate New York to running away to join a ragtag carnival to his rise as an eccentric, often devilishly macabre illusionist in Manhattan's licentious Bowery during the Roaring Twenties. Sharing in Rouncival's fortunes and frequent setbacks is Sherpa, a reformed Cuban pirate and, like his master, an inveterate ladies' man. Together the two craft stunning illusions, romance a famous heiress, achieve worldwide fame, and rub elbows with the likes of Dutch Schultz, Frida Kahlo, and the most notorious magician of all, Houdini. Seamon's stylistic inventiveness and skill with memorable characterizations are nothing short of breathtaking. Rouncival and his colorful entourage herald the arrival of a major new talent. Carl Hays
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"This enchanting debut novel conjures up the world of smoke and mirrors; a world of fame, fortune, power...fans of Robertson Davies will be charmed."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Turtle Point Press (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885586981
• ISBN-13: 978-1885586988
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #347,229 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, September 21, 2004

By	Dr. Susan K. Nelson (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Tobias Seamon crafts this work into layers of illusions, and he does so with formidable skill. His knowledge and use of history--the events, people, and places--make it increasingly difficult to maintain the belief that Robert is a fictitious character. Somewhere along the way, Robert becomes human and, then, somewhere else along the way, he becomes truly magical. Seamon is a writer of tremendous depth and perception and he takes us on an odyssey that is magical, mythical, and ultimately human. In the end, he reminds us of the magic that can lie behind the pain, the mishaps, and the failings of human flesh, and his novel has my highest recommendation! Interested readers should also purchase Seamon's poetry!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendous, September 17, 2004

By	D. Mahoney (Troy, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A strange, terrific read. Reminiscent of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay with its focus on boisterous old New York, dazzling showmanship, and the showman's own personal demons (which often conjure newer, more menacing demons). There's a memorable encounter with Houdini, stage magic that becomes harder and harder to dismiss as mere illusion, a couple of knock-down, drag-out love stories, and so much vivid detail I'd almost have sworn the story wasn't fiction. Robert the Great's apparently tragic tale ends up feeling quietly exhilarating, a kind of lifelong survival story about an angry young man who ultimately turns his whole life into a crazy, thrilling act. Great great great.