The Prestige by Christopher Priest Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Prestige
Book Review: A complex tale of magic and mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
The Prestige tells the story of an intense rivalry between two turn of the century illusionists, Alfred Borden and Rupert Angier, using multiple viewpoints to create a complex tale of magic and mystery. The rivalry begins at a seance conducted by Angier. Borden, seeking to discredit Angier, disrupts the proceedings. During the ensuing confusion, Angier's pregnant wife falls, and miscarries her baby. Angier, infuriated, seeks revenge against Borden, triggering a cat and mouse game of dirty tricks and one-upmanship which escalates over the next two decades, eventually poisoning the lives of their progeny.
The Prestige is deeply rooted in the world of magic, where illusion is everything. It is a tale told primarily by two magicians, men whose lives are dedicated to concealing the truth behind their illusions, who harbor secrets both natural and seemingly supernatural. It is Priest, however, who eventually reveals himself as the ultimate illusionist, challenging his readers to discover the truth so cleverly concealed within this book.
Borden's diaries explain that an illusion has three stages. First is the setup, in which the nature of what might be attempted is hinted at, or suggested, or explained. Here, the magician will make every possible use of misdirection. Second is the performance, where the magician's lifetime of practice and his innate skill as a performer conjoin to produce a magical display. The third stage, called the effect, or the prestige, is the product of magic.
In The Prestige, Priest has achieved an consummate illusion. Using Borden's diaries to open the book, he starts the set up, providing some sketchy details about the events which form the backbone of the novel. Then, he turns to Angier's memoirs, the equivalent of a performance. Details are added, and Priest uses all his skill as a writer to produce a wondrous display of riveting writing. Finally, he treats his readers to the effect, which I, in keeping with conjuring tradition, will not reveal. Rest assured though--you'll be thinking about it for days after finishing the book.
Part of Priest's outstanding performance is the theme of duality that permeates The Prestige. The book is dedicated to Priest's twin children, Elizabeth and Simon. Alfred Borden may or may not have had a twin. The magicians themselves often comment on their similarities, and they independently strive to develop the same illusion, The Transported Man (carrying the theme even further, Angier's version produces unliving dopplegangers which may be considered his twins). Finally, there is the fact that there are (at least) two sides to every story, certainly evident from the writings of both men.
I highly recommend this winner of the British James Tait Black Award and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. After finishing, I think most readers will marvel at the illusion, and wonder, "How did he DO that?"
Book Review: Amazing feat of prestidigitation
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of many, many books that only made it onto my radar because there was a movie coming out. If I know that a movie I'm particularly interested in was based on a book, I make every effort to read the book first. I am SO glad that I did. Christopher Priest's haunting mystery story is without question one of the finest novels I've read this year.
Andrew Westley, a man adopted at a young age, is summoned for a meeting at the home of a woman he's never met. At the same time, he recieves in the mail a book penned by his biological great-grandfather, a famous stage magician, about his life and the practice of magic. Upon meeting the woman, Kate, Andrew discovers that his ancestor and hers were great rivals on stage, a rivalry that lasted their entire careers, and the feud has continued through their families over the centuries. Reading manuscripts left behind by their predecessors, Andrew and Kate begin to piece together the truth about the feud that drove their families apart and the horrific secrets of the lives their grandfathers led.
This is a fantasy novel in many respects, but beyond that, it's a mystery. What's more, is an amazing mystery. The lives of Alfred Borden and Rupert Angier are intertwining riddles, secrets that overlap and comingle in ways even the men themselves don't understand. This, to me, is the best kind of mystery -- the sort where the reveal leaves you stunned but, at the same time, embarassed that you didn't see it coming, because it's so perfectly constructed. The book reads like a magic trick, except at the end the curtain is whisked away and all the secrets are revealed.
I'm still anxious to see the movie, but now I find myself nervous that it couldn't quite live up to the novel. This was fantastic.
Book Review: Different from the movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I read this before seeing the movie of the same name. The book is a little more subtle, although the movie did get rid of an unnecessary framing device.Book Review: Enchanting!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an amazing story filled with all the suspense and intrigue you've come to expect from modern thrillers and even more. Priest creates two believable characters and sets them afloat in a self-inflicted storm of revenge and regret. Borden and Angier grab you by the throat and don't let go. Good intro, great build-up, great climax, and an eerily satisfying resolution. As any magic show would, it leaves you gasping for more.Book Review: Excellent Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
It is the best book I have ever read. It's suspencefull and completely enteraining from begining to end. The film doesn't spoil it either. I have seen the movie multiple times but I was still shocked when I finished the book.
It is about two rival Victorian magicians and the working lives of each. Almost the entire book is written in diary form but from several different prespectives. I was not used to this style but it suites the story quite well. Honestly it had the best ending of any novel I have read. It's worth reading just for the shockig finale. You won't be disappointed.