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Ann Marie Fleming

The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam: An Illustrated Memoir Paperback – Illustrated, September 4, 2007

by Ann Marie Fleming (Author)

25 ratings

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A full-color graphic memoir inspired by the award-winning documentary-and the life and mystery of China's greatest magician.

Who was Long Tack Sam?

He was born in 1885. He ran away from Shangdung Province to join the circus. He was an acrobat. A magician. A comic. An impresario. A restaurateur. A theater owner. A world traveler. An East-West ambassador. A mentor to Orson Welles. He was considered the greatest act in the history of vaudeville.

In this gorgeous graphic memoir, his great-granddaughter, the artist and filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming, resurrects his fascinating life for the rest of the world. It's an exhilarating testament to a forgotten man. And every picture is true.

Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.

Print length

170 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Riverhead Books
Publication date

September 4, 2007
Dimensions

6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

9781594482649
ISBN-13

978-1594482649
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Fleming's great-grandfather, Long Tack Sam, began life in a nineteenth-century Chinese village and died more than 70 years later in Austria. In between, he performed as a world-class magician and lived for significant portions of time on every continent except Africa and Antarctica. Fleming herself, born a year after his death, invested time, money, and travel in exploring her great-grandfather's story or, more accurately, the versions of his biography provided by far-flung relatives, fellow magicians, and former neighbors. Presenting both her search and what she found in a pastiche of succinctly written narrative (lots of it), cartoon drawings, old handbills, clippings, and photos, Fleming successfully shows how dramatic the role of international politics in a particular person's life can be. In the case of Long Tack Sam, both world wars, U.S. and Canadian laws written to bar Chinese immigrants, and the rise and fall of vaudeville as popular entertainment shaped, shifted, colored, and textured daily existence. Fleming makes that kaleidoscope of influences accessible and virtually tangible, not only as they formed Long Tack Sam but also on her own essence. Very appealing for biography readers, twentieth-century world-history buffs, and comics enthusiasts alike. Goldsmith, Francisca

About the Author

Ann Marie Fleming is an award-winning Canadian independent filmmaker, writer, and artist, born in Okinawa of Chinese and Australian descent. Her critically acclaimed graphic novel, The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam, was adapted from her same-named documentary film, and is on the American Library Association's list of "10 Best Graphic Novels for Teens.” It was nominated for two Eisner Awards and won the Doug Wright Best Book Award for graphic novels in Canada. Her work primarily deals with themes of family, history, and memory.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1594482640
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riverhead Books; Illustrated edition (September 4, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 170 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781594482649
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1594482649
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,053,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #298 in Magic & Illusion
- #409 in Magic Tricks
- #515 in Performing Arts History & Criticism

Customer Reviews:
25 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		67%
4 star		17%
3 star		5%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		11%

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Top reviews from the United States

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John McCann

A classic quest!

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

What can we possibly know about our ancestors? What evidence may we rely upon? Why do people have different recollections of the same events? In following Ann Marie Fleming's quest to know more about her great-granfather, we learn much about the process of history and detection and learn to question the family narratives that have been presented to us. A moving experience.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Susan Blumberg-Kason

One of my favorite books ever

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2015

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I loved everything about this book! The story, both of Long Tack Sam and his great-granddaughter's journey to learn about her ancestor, are amazing and riveting. The illustrations, photos, and newspaper clippings are perfect, as are the history, art, and show biz timelines along the side of the pages. A must-read!

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Amazon Customer

Damaged

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021

Verified Purchase

The binding was messed up and pages are falling out. When I ordered this I thought it was new not used. I would t have spent $14 on a book that’s falling apart.

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Victrola

Magical memoir

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2008

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With its unique combination of cartoons, photos, newspaper clippings, this is everything a graphic novel should be. It's entertaining, informative and a page turner of sorts. As the memoir progresses, you get drawn into Long Tack Sam's life and you root for him. I felt myself wishing that I had been around to catch his act.

Helpful

Redhead18

Great book.

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2011

Verified Purchase

An insightful, delightful book. A very personal story that is bigger than it first appears and reminds us all we have stories
worth researching and remembering. The confusing, conflicting details of family memories are presented in a creative way
and the multiple perspectives are woven together with history, bystanders, Fleming and family in a compelling and funny presentation that wins you over only a few pages in.

One person found this helpful

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Moon Glough

an enjoyable, satisfying book

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2016

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i treasure my copy. much creativity, originality, intelligence.i bought second copy for my high school aged granddaughter.

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John Hunter

Best price, quick delivery

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2016

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Set text for my eldest son's English course. Best price, quick delivery.

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SEMGRE

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2016

Verified Purchase

Perfect.........

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Daniel Rutherford

Skip the book. Watch the documentary instead.

Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2016

Verified Purchase

Had to read this for a first year English class. Found the story of Long Tack Sam interesting, but found the ongoing narrative of the author trying to find out about Long Tack Sam less compelling. Also seems rather simplistic in the choice of words and style. The documentary she made on this is much more fitting for the style.

Daniella Trimboli

Fantastic

Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2013

Verified Purchase

A wonderful and highly engaging graphic novel by Fleming. She has carried out extensive historical research and presents it in a fresh, entertaining way. The aesthetic techniques capture qualities of animated film and prompt us to consider alternative histories. Long Tack Sam is an inspiring character: watching his story unfold led me to reflect on my own history and culture and consider how I too could become a "citizen of the world."

One person found this helpful

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