Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another lost gem!, October 6, 2000
It's an injustice for this novel to be out of print. Although as one reviwer mentioned, the ending is a bit too obvious up-front, the story has many compensating qualities, especially the excellent portrayal of a good guy, Corky, plaqued by inner demons he just can't control. Thus, we have an excellent drama of the downward spiral of a character we come to like. Incidentally, the movie featuring Anthony Hopkins is even better, and it, too, was written/scripted by William Goldman. Also, maybe some of you might remember the trailer for this film in the late 70s. I was still a kid/preteen back then, and the trailer with the dummy scared me half to death, and to this day, it stays with me. Unfortunately, the video copy I have of the film doesn't contain the trailer. Anybody out there remember it, too? Anyway, if you aren't able to buy a copy of this book on an Amazon.com auction, try to get it through an intra-library loan at your local library. I think you'll be glad you did, for this is a forgotten gem from the greatest era of horror, the 70s, and it should still be in print today, because it's as good as any psychological-suspense-horror novel I've ever read.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Will make you think twice about becoming a ventriliquist, April 13, 2002
If you've seen the movie Magic, you don't necessarily have to read the book. Being a fan of the movie, I bought the book to see if there were many differences, and the answer to that question was no. William Goldman, who is a brilliant writer and screenwriter must have written this novel with the intent of turning it into an excellent movie.
However, if you haven't seen the movie, then I urge you to get the book. Corky, an as good as can be young man, tries to make it as a magician. When this fails, Corky turns to a ventriliquist routine with a dumby named Fats. As the book goes on, the reader finds that Corky is seriously disturbed and when his routine begins to give him fame, he flees to the home of an old high school classmate whom he had a crush on, who is now married (She was played by Ann Margaret in the movie).
The events that unfold after this move are both horrifying and shocking. I would suggest strongly to anyone who has not seen the movie with Anthony Hopkins to read the book. If you've seen the movie and want to read the book, that's good, but don't expect too many changes.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, Interesting Book, September 11, 1999
A long-forgotten little gem of William Goldman's, it's becoming more and more difficult to find this book anywhere. I was lucky to have found my copy in the library. The book is both very funny, touching and violent, with moments of brilliant humor, suspense and romance scattered throughout. Goldman can make a somewhat silly idea seem unquestionably plausible. The book switches back and forth from present time to the past, then back to present time. Also, the movie (starring Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margret) is wonderful if you can find a copy as they too are scarce. Great to read and watch if you can find copies.
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