Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collections
Publication
Tor Books (2006), Edition: First Edition, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Description
In 1878, two young stage magicians clash in the dark during the course of a fraudulent séance. From this moment on, their lives become webs of deceit and revelation as they vie to outwit and expose each other. Their rivalry will take them to the peaks of their careers--but with terrible consequences. In the course of pursuing each other's ruin, they will deploy all the deception their magician's craft can command, the highest misdirection and the darkest science. Blood will be spilled, but it will not be enough. In the end, their legacy will pass on for generations to descendants who must, for their sanity's sake, untangle their puzzle.
User reviews
LibraryThing member RobertDay
This book had been on my TBR pile for some considerable time. Indeed, I had seen and enjoyed the feature film made in 2006 - eleven years after the novel was published - and so was pleased when the novel surfaced in my reading selection.
Simply put, the novel is about a feud between two Victorian
For a few years, I spent some time in communication on the fringes of the circus, stage magic and new variety community in the UK. In particular, on a couple of occasions, I was called from the audience as part of the "stage committee" whose role is to confirm the veracity of what Priest calls "the Pledge" - the point at the beginning the trick where the magician shows the object to be transformed and demonstrates "Nothing up my sleeve". On one occasion, I was asked to confirm that the elements of the illusion were as they seemed. But when looking at those elements, I could immediately see how the trick was done. It was quite simple and straightforward, though a moment's thought would suggest that it would require a considerable amount of practice to make it run smoothly and look to the audience as though it were magic. So I kept my observations to myself, and merely confirmed on stage that yes, the padlocks were secure, and the rest of the apparatus was solid.
For myself, I felt that I had been initiated into the outer limits of the circle. The illusion was a fairly standard one amongst stage magicians (I will say not more about it to avoid spoilers), but for me, knowing how the trick was done didn't spoil it for me. Rather, it then meant that whenever I see that illusion performed now, I can judge how well it has been done; whether the magician has made any changes or enhancements that improve the illusion for the audience, or indeed make it harder to perform. For that one illusion, I am now on the other side of the stage; and of course, I keep the secret. Because otherwise, where would be the fun in stage magic?
And that is the point of the book; it's about the practice of illusion, and the way that probing, obtaining and keeping its secrets can become obsessive. The extent that obsession can run to is also explored, with the two magicians going further and further in their pursuit of the ultimate illusion. Each goes to an extreme that breaks boundaries, one of social norms and the other of science (with the aid of one of the foremost and controversial scientific figures of the day).
The framing story then is shown to be a key part of the whole, rather than just a device - indeed, Priest himself objects to its description as such, because it is an integral whole with the plot of the novel. Nonetheless, it occurs at the beginning of the novel, sets up a mystery, and then isn't returned to until the end when the puzzle is resolved, so it's hard to see how it can be described as anything but a framing story. (It would have made an interesting pendant to the film to make the framing story as an independent short film on its own, though the plot changes to the story for the film would make that a little difficult, though not impossible.) In particular, the way the magicians' feud echoes down through subsequent generations is well described and adds to the air of mystery.
In a way, knowing the film only engaged my interest in the novel more, making me want to get deeper into the story. The magicians' feud has different origins in novel and film, but again, this seems reasonable given that the novel version needs a degree of understanding of the way that spiritualism was quite common in nineteenth-century London; without that knowledge, it would be an unnecessary diversion in the film.
(Christopher Priest has written his own account of the writing of the novel and its transformation into a film: [The Magic; the story of a film], which is now next up on my To Be Read pile.)
Overall, this is an unusual and highly engaging story. Recommended.
Simply put, the novel is about a feud between two Victorian
Show More
stage magicians. There are considerable differences between the novel and the film; in particular, the novel has a framing story, set in the present - a typical Priest narrative device - which the film omits. This detracts from neither; the complexity of the story demands some reduction for film, and the puzzle set up in the framing story would detract from the main thrust of the novel's core.For a few years, I spent some time in communication on the fringes of the circus, stage magic and new variety community in the UK. In particular, on a couple of occasions, I was called from the audience as part of the "stage committee" whose role is to confirm the veracity of what Priest calls "the Pledge" - the point at the beginning the trick where the magician shows the object to be transformed and demonstrates "Nothing up my sleeve". On one occasion, I was asked to confirm that the elements of the illusion were as they seemed. But when looking at those elements, I could immediately see how the trick was done. It was quite simple and straightforward, though a moment's thought would suggest that it would require a considerable amount of practice to make it run smoothly and look to the audience as though it were magic. So I kept my observations to myself, and merely confirmed on stage that yes, the padlocks were secure, and the rest of the apparatus was solid.
For myself, I felt that I had been initiated into the outer limits of the circle. The illusion was a fairly standard one amongst stage magicians (I will say not more about it to avoid spoilers), but for me, knowing how the trick was done didn't spoil it for me. Rather, it then meant that whenever I see that illusion performed now, I can judge how well it has been done; whether the magician has made any changes or enhancements that improve the illusion for the audience, or indeed make it harder to perform. For that one illusion, I am now on the other side of the stage; and of course, I keep the secret. Because otherwise, where would be the fun in stage magic?
And that is the point of the book; it's about the practice of illusion, and the way that probing, obtaining and keeping its secrets can become obsessive. The extent that obsession can run to is also explored, with the two magicians going further and further in their pursuit of the ultimate illusion. Each goes to an extreme that breaks boundaries, one of social norms and the other of science (with the aid of one of the foremost and controversial scientific figures of the day).
The framing story then is shown to be a key part of the whole, rather than just a device - indeed, Priest himself objects to its description as such, because it is an integral whole with the plot of the novel. Nonetheless, it occurs at the beginning of the novel, sets up a mystery, and then isn't returned to until the end when the puzzle is resolved, so it's hard to see how it can be described as anything but a framing story. (It would have made an interesting pendant to the film to make the framing story as an independent short film on its own, though the plot changes to the story for the film would make that a little difficult, though not impossible.) In particular, the way the magicians' feud echoes down through subsequent generations is well described and adds to the air of mystery.
In a way, knowing the film only engaged my interest in the novel more, making me want to get deeper into the story. The magicians' feud has different origins in novel and film, but again, this seems reasonable given that the novel version needs a degree of understanding of the way that spiritualism was quite common in nineteenth-century London; without that knowledge, it would be an unnecessary diversion in the film.
(Christopher Priest has written his own account of the writing of the novel and its transformation into a film: [The Magic; the story of a film], which is now next up on my To Be Read pile.)
Overall, this is an unusual and highly engaging story. Recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Philotera
If you've only seen the movie, you owe it to yourself to read the book. They bear but a passing resemblance. A magnificent turn of imagination.
A young man goes on a quest to find out who he is, where he came from and learns far more of his past and future than he can bear. An electrical-magical
A young man goes on a quest to find out who he is, where he came from and learns far more of his past and future than he can bear. An electrical-magical
Show More
story of modern Frankensteins. Or perhaps Prometheus. Show Less
LibraryThing member kevinashley
This is a book which doesn't fit easily into a genre. It's historical fiction; it's also a mystery; and it is also science fiction. Above all, it's a very good novel.
I've been rediscovering Christopher Priest's later works in recent years after having first encountered his work many years ago in
This is fundamentally a story about a rivalry between English stage magicians whose careers span the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Both end up developing illusions involving the transportation of themselves between two places in apparently impossible ways. Illusions of this sort involve secrets, of course. The secrets each of these magicians uses have costs to them which become apparent only as the story reaches its conclusion. Priest does an excellent job of revealing details quickly enough to keep our interest but slowly enough to be tantalising. The structure, involving a framing story in the present day, occasionally returned to, and two different contemporary accounts from the magicians, helps in this. It also illustrates that all of the narrators have an imperfect view of events.
This has been made into a successful film. You may have seen it; I haven't. The introduction to this SF Masterworks edition suggests that it's worth visiting the book even if you have seen the film. In particular, the film apparently omits the present-day framing story which in my view gives the book much of its power and mystery, and also its final shock.
I've enjoyed every one of Priest's later novels and this is no exception. The writing is excellent, the characters and story compelling.
I've been rediscovering Christopher Priest's later works in recent years after having first encountered his work many years ago in
Show More
"The Inverted World" and "Dreamscape Archipelago." Those were clearly in the realm of science fiction, being set on far-distant worlds in a universe where Earth might not even exist. The others, like "The Prestige", are quite different, with settings firmly rooted in England of the recent past or near future and with the science-fiction elements very much in the background rather than the foreground.This is fundamentally a story about a rivalry between English stage magicians whose careers span the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Both end up developing illusions involving the transportation of themselves between two places in apparently impossible ways. Illusions of this sort involve secrets, of course. The secrets each of these magicians uses have costs to them which become apparent only as the story reaches its conclusion. Priest does an excellent job of revealing details quickly enough to keep our interest but slowly enough to be tantalising. The structure, involving a framing story in the present day, occasionally returned to, and two different contemporary accounts from the magicians, helps in this. It also illustrates that all of the narrators have an imperfect view of events.
This has been made into a successful film. You may have seen it; I haven't. The introduction to this SF Masterworks edition suggests that it's worth visiting the book even if you have seen the film. In particular, the film apparently omits the present-day framing story which in my view gives the book much of its power and mystery, and also its final shock.
I've enjoyed every one of Priest's later novels and this is no exception. The writing is excellent, the characters and story compelling.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Smiler69
This story, about two 19th century magicians caught up in a bitter rivalry by turns amuses, fascinates, and horrifies. Told via multiple narrators, we discover how both magicians developed an obsession for their craft at an early age and devoted their entire lives to becoming the most recognized
Show More
stage illusionists of their time, not hesitating to bargain their souls away to get there either. I had seen the movie version a few years ago and thought it was quite brilliant, not realizing at the time it was based on a book. The book provided much more rich detail, but was also sometimes encumbered by what I felt was an unnecessary additional layer of storytelling which the moviemakers cleverly did away with. Also, I felt like the second part of the book, told in the form of diary entries, dragged on at times, which are the two reasons why I did not award a full four stars, but I still wholly recommend this novel for the sheer entertainment value. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
First of all, I loved the movie by this name, the slow build and the horrific conclusion, the tension between the characters and how you felt for each of them, yet by the end were horrified of both.
Well the book is all that, times ten, and yet, an almost completely different story. It carries the
The end brings the puzzle together, and yet, the story is still untold. I spent most of the night going over it again and again in my head, and will probably think about it for some time to come. Wonderful escape.
Well the book is all that, times ten, and yet, an almost completely different story. It carries the
Show More
feud beyond the two magician's lives onto their descendants. We begin by meeting a young man who has been adopted and isn't much interested in his family history. However, it soon seeks him out in a way he cannot ignore. From there, we go into the past, reading the journal of both Borden and Angier. Slowly, slowly a picture begins to emerge, but is it trustworthy? These men built their careers and lives on illusion, can we trust what they write in their journals?The end brings the puzzle together, and yet, the story is still untold. I spent most of the night going over it again and again in my head, and will probably think about it for some time to come. Wonderful escape.
Show Less
LibraryThing member enemyanniemae
Weird and strange. Hey, it was for my horror group, so I expected weird. The story of rival magicians is told via their personal journals. I had no idea what was going on for several discs' worth of book. But, when things began to be illuminated, I was spellbound. I even brought the book in from
The events are unsettling and shocking, the eventual outcome even more so. You like magic? Science? The supernatural? Family ties? If you like them all in one package, you might love this book as I do.
Show More
the car (that's where I usually listen to my audiobooks) because I knew I could not sleep until I knew what was going to happen. The events are unsettling and shocking, the eventual outcome even more so. You like magic? Science? The supernatural? Family ties? If you like them all in one package, you might love this book as I do.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ScoLgo
I really wish I had read Priest's book before seeing the movie as the twists, turns and revelations would have been so much more fun without any foreknowledge. The movie gives away the 'prestige' of the story and that is a shame since the book is written in such a cunningly confusing way. While
Even though I knew the plot going in, I'm still glad I read this book. The writing and pace are simply marvelous. It works equally well as science-fiction, historical fiction, horror, and mystery. The book is quite an achievement and, at ~400 pages, is just about the perfect length for the story being told.
Show More
much of the movie is true to the major events in the book, the endings are quite different. The book ending is much more creepy and horrific and I much preferred it to the cinematic version.Even though I knew the plot going in, I'm still glad I read this book. The writing and pace are simply marvelous. It works equally well as science-fiction, historical fiction, horror, and mystery. The book is quite an achievement and, at ~400 pages, is just about the perfect length for the story being told.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kaipakartik
Both the book and movie are sheer genius and I guess it depends on what you experience first. The subtle changes in perception are fantastic. Events which were thought to be one way become something else.
Part of the joy in reading this novel is how Priest ties everything together and how the tale
Part of the joy in reading this novel is how Priest ties everything together and how the tale
Show More
comes together from the different narratives. All of Priest's usual suspects are here. Dopplegangers, unreliable narrators and the works. I enjoyed both the film and novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member WinterFox
Whatever the merits of the film based on this book (I liked it, but I acknowledge it had some flaws), the film did bring the book back into the spotlight, and for that, we must be thankful, because this is a very, very good story. Very good plot, believable and well-written characters,
Here we have the story of two rival magicians, told through their own personal notebooks, and also their descendants, who meet at the beginning of the book in a sort of framing story. But it's the two magicians, Angier and Borden, who are the centerpieces of the story, and they are at the same time so similar and so different: their ambitions are the same, but their beliefs and ways are different. The two notebook idea really allows you to compare them fairly directly. Even in terms of style and lines, you feel like you're meant to contrast the pair, and see how much they match up.
But there's also an element of mistrust that you can feel for them; they're obviously trying to hide their secrets some of the time. Borden's narrative makes it more explicit than Angier's, but it's there for both of them. Further, their recollections of events works differently. Both of them try to put themselves in the best light, but both are willing to admit they have failings. They're very human, and that's a large part of why it's so engrossing. It's also, though, that they really have surprises in store all along for us; I actually missed my guess on a large plot point, and it still fit, which is nice to see.
Anyway, bottom line: definitely worth reading. Give it a shot. I should try some of his other work at some point, too.
Show More
stylistically different but well done for each of the characters' viewpoints, and full of interesting ideas and ties to the rest of the world.Here we have the story of two rival magicians, told through their own personal notebooks, and also their descendants, who meet at the beginning of the book in a sort of framing story. But it's the two magicians, Angier and Borden, who are the centerpieces of the story, and they are at the same time so similar and so different: their ambitions are the same, but their beliefs and ways are different. The two notebook idea really allows you to compare them fairly directly. Even in terms of style and lines, you feel like you're meant to contrast the pair, and see how much they match up.
But there's also an element of mistrust that you can feel for them; they're obviously trying to hide their secrets some of the time. Borden's narrative makes it more explicit than Angier's, but it's there for both of them. Further, their recollections of events works differently. Both of them try to put themselves in the best light, but both are willing to admit they have failings. They're very human, and that's a large part of why it's so engrossing. It's also, though, that they really have surprises in store all along for us; I actually missed my guess on a large plot point, and it still fit, which is nice to see.
Anyway, bottom line: definitely worth reading. Give it a shot. I should try some of his other work at some point, too.
Show Less
LibraryThing member chrisbailey
I found The Prestige to be disappointingly unsatisfying. The book had such potential, but the author failed to deliver characters worth caring for and a plot worth understanding.
Thankfully, Christopher Nolan's movie version saved the best plot devices and created a coherent story where Priest
Wonderful idea, but poorly executed.
Thankfully, Christopher Nolan's movie version saved the best plot devices and created a coherent story where Priest
Show More
failed. Wonderful idea, but poorly executed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Jarandel
Mixed feelings about that one. Well-written, wonderful recreation of an era and a peculiar profession, the slightest smidge of fantastical and steampunk (yum!), but the characters failed to engage me.
LibraryThing member arubabookwoman
This is a tale of dueling magicians (Ruper Angier, "The Great Danton" vs. Alfred Borden, "Le Professeur de la Magic) mostly set during the Victorian era, but bookended by an opening and a closing section during which descendants of the two magicians meet. This is not my usual fare, and I have no
An illusion has three stages: 1. The setup; 2. The performance, where the magician's lifetime of practice and his skill as a performer join to create the magical display; and 3. The effect, or "the prestige," which is the product of the magic, i.e. the rabbit is the prestige when it is pulled out of the seemingly empty hat.
and,
There are only 6 categories of illusions: 1. Production--producing something out of nothing; 2. Disappearance--the vanishing of something into nothing; 3. Transformation--changing one thing into another; 4. Transposition--changing of place of 2 or more things; 5. Defiance of natural laws (i.e. gravity); and 6. Secret motive power--causing objects to move.
So if this sounds like your thing, recommended.
3 stars
Show More
particular interest in magic, magicians or fantasy, so I don't even know why I checked it out of the library, probably a random complimentary reference on LT. But I have to say, that I really enjoyed this book. Beyond have a good and engaging plot, the book has lot of background information on magic and magicians, which was interesting to learn. Here's a couple:An illusion has three stages: 1. The setup; 2. The performance, where the magician's lifetime of practice and his skill as a performer join to create the magical display; and 3. The effect, or "the prestige," which is the product of the magic, i.e. the rabbit is the prestige when it is pulled out of the seemingly empty hat.
and,
There are only 6 categories of illusions: 1. Production--producing something out of nothing; 2. Disappearance--the vanishing of something into nothing; 3. Transformation--changing one thing into another; 4. Transposition--changing of place of 2 or more things; 5. Defiance of natural laws (i.e. gravity); and 6. Secret motive power--causing objects to move.
So if this sounds like your thing, recommended.
3 stars
Show Less
LibraryThing member tronella
In a bizarre twist, I think I actually prefer the film. Although the plots aren't exactly the same, the main twists pretty much are, and I guess not having to figure those out kind of spoiled the fun of a lot of the book. However, I still think the film was a lot more tightly-plotted and, although
Show More
the relatively slow pace of the book made sense because of the setting, it felt a bit waffly to read. Also, I could really have done without the whole great-grandchildren subplot, which didn't do a whole lot for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member bragan
A tale of two rival 19th-century magicians who end up trying to outdo each other -- to put it mildly -- in performing an act involving disappearing in one place and reappearing in another.
I did see the movie that was based on this novel. It was long enough ago that I didn't remember a lot of the
I wondered, at the beginning, exactly how Priest would pull off some of the movie's tricks in text form. I also wondered whether it would work nearly as well going into it knowing its secrets. Well, the answer to the first question turns out to be that it was pretty cleverly done, I think. And the answer to the second is that, yes. Yes, it did work just fine for me, even spoiled as I was. I do think it would have been a lot of fun to read this knowing nothing about it and to have to slowly piece together the truth of what's going on, as it was with the movie. But the trick the book is performing is still an impressive one when you know how it works. In fact, there's a certain satisfaction in being able to follow everything it's doing as it's doing it. It kind of reminds me of a video I saw once of Penn & Teller doing the famous cups and balls trick with transparent cups. You can see exactly how everything's working, and it's still damned cool.
But this novel has more going for it than a bit of clever literary sleight of hand. It's got obsession! Irony! Tragedy! Weird science! Not to mention a deep but subtle sense of horror and some interesting lurking philosophical questions. Also, it's just completely batshit crazy. But it a wonderful kind of way.
Anyway. If any of that sounds the least bit appealing, I definitely recommend both the book and the movie, in whichever order you'd prefer to consume them.
I did see the movie that was based on this novel. It was long enough ago that I didn't remember a lot of the
Show More
specific details (many of which I think were different from the book's, anyway), but I certainly remembered the the twisty revelations about how the acts were performed. They were pretty unforgettable.I wondered, at the beginning, exactly how Priest would pull off some of the movie's tricks in text form. I also wondered whether it would work nearly as well going into it knowing its secrets. Well, the answer to the first question turns out to be that it was pretty cleverly done, I think. And the answer to the second is that, yes. Yes, it did work just fine for me, even spoiled as I was. I do think it would have been a lot of fun to read this knowing nothing about it and to have to slowly piece together the truth of what's going on, as it was with the movie. But the trick the book is performing is still an impressive one when you know how it works. In fact, there's a certain satisfaction in being able to follow everything it's doing as it's doing it. It kind of reminds me of a video I saw once of Penn & Teller doing the famous cups and balls trick with transparent cups. You can see exactly how everything's working, and it's still damned cool.
But this novel has more going for it than a bit of clever literary sleight of hand. It's got obsession! Irony! Tragedy! Weird science! Not to mention a deep but subtle sense of horror and some interesting lurking philosophical questions. Also, it's just completely batshit crazy. But it a wonderful kind of way.
Anyway. If any of that sounds the least bit appealing, I definitely recommend both the book and the movie, in whichever order you'd prefer to consume them.
Show Less
LibraryThing member graspingforthewind
A part of the urban fantasy subgenre of contemporary fantasy, The Prestige tells the story of two illusionists of the early 1900s. For various reasons, these two magicians, of wholly different characters, have fallen into a feud, each trying to outdo the other on stage and in their personal lives.
I recommend this book be read by those who like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke. The history filled with magic plot line will appeal to Clarke’s readers. I recommend that those who like reading the old pulp magazines give The Prestige a shot also. If you like a good mystery and don’t mind a sort of incomplete ending you might like this book as well. I enjoyed it, although I was disappointed in the ending, but then, I like my books to feel like the story is complete, and this one will leave you wondering.
Full Review at Grasping for the Wind
Show More
Alfred Borden is a magician of the old style, naturally gifted in magic, a stage magician who despises those who use magic tricks to pretend to real magical ability. Rupert Angier is a magician down on his luck that turns to pretending to be a spiritualist to make ends meet (although eventually he does make it to the stage). It is from this their feud stems, but it eventually goes way beyond that.I recommend this book be read by those who like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke. The history filled with magic plot line will appeal to Clarke’s readers. I recommend that those who like reading the old pulp magazines give The Prestige a shot also. If you like a good mystery and don’t mind a sort of incomplete ending you might like this book as well. I enjoyed it, although I was disappointed in the ending, but then, I like my books to feel like the story is complete, and this one will leave you wondering.
Full Review at Grasping for the Wind
Show Less
LibraryThing member saroz
I first read this book more than ten years ago, before the release of the film (probably, because I'd heard the film was in production). I enjoyed it very thoroughly, and when the film came out, I was impressed by the way the writers used the book as a framework to tell a similar but far more
Here we are, a decade-plus later, and having seen the film several times, the details of the book have receded into the fog of memory. I just finished teaching the film as an example of cinematic narrative, and I mentioned offhandedly, to my students, that the book "had an extra wrinkle or two." What those were, though, I couldn't really recall - so I decided it was time to read the book again.
It's still an excellent novel, though admittedly heavy on plot mechanics (don't expect any great depth of character here). The general premise is the same as the film, though greatly simplified: the feud between Angier and Borden, the attempts to one-up their magic acts, the "New Transported Man," and the appeal to Nikola Tesla to build a unique electrical machine. (Christopher Priest, by way of David Bowie's role in the film, is probably solely responsible for the last decade of Tesla's reinvention as a hipster hero.) The structure of the book is totally different, though: it's an epistolary novel, told from four different viewpoints, and mostly through a series of journal entries. Revelations come in a completely new sequence, some of them laced with ambiguity, and there are questions that last well beyond the limited scope of the novel. The appeal is not so much in solving the puzzle so much as the slow burn of its full unveiling; it's like a Venus flytrap, suckering you in and leaving you to realize you can't escape.
In that regard, both book and film are one and the same. You will think about them long after the final pages or the final credits. The Prestige is complicated enough that I know it won't take me long to forget its specifics again and default to the cinematic version, yet it's powerful enough I know I'll want, at some point, to read it again. That's an absurdly strong plot-driven novel - and more than a little like a great magic act, too.
Show More
streamlined story. That was to the film's benefit: even a streamlined, reduced-to-two-hours version of The Prestige requires a certain amount of mental acrobatics. At the time, though, I remember just a little regret that the greater complexity of the book was gone; it was, after all, what had really made my head explode.Here we are, a decade-plus later, and having seen the film several times, the details of the book have receded into the fog of memory. I just finished teaching the film as an example of cinematic narrative, and I mentioned offhandedly, to my students, that the book "had an extra wrinkle or two." What those were, though, I couldn't really recall - so I decided it was time to read the book again.
It's still an excellent novel, though admittedly heavy on plot mechanics (don't expect any great depth of character here). The general premise is the same as the film, though greatly simplified: the feud between Angier and Borden, the attempts to one-up their magic acts, the "New Transported Man," and the appeal to Nikola Tesla to build a unique electrical machine. (Christopher Priest, by way of David Bowie's role in the film, is probably solely responsible for the last decade of Tesla's reinvention as a hipster hero.) The structure of the book is totally different, though: it's an epistolary novel, told from four different viewpoints, and mostly through a series of journal entries. Revelations come in a completely new sequence, some of them laced with ambiguity, and there are questions that last well beyond the limited scope of the novel. The appeal is not so much in solving the puzzle so much as the slow burn of its full unveiling; it's like a Venus flytrap, suckering you in and leaving you to realize you can't escape.
In that regard, both book and film are one and the same. You will think about them long after the final pages or the final credits. The Prestige is complicated enough that I know it won't take me long to forget its specifics again and default to the cinematic version, yet it's powerful enough I know I'll want, at some point, to read it again. That's an absurdly strong plot-driven novel - and more than a little like a great magic act, too.
Show Less
LibraryThing member 5hrdrive
First off, the movie is better. Secondly, and this applies to both versions, I can't get through my head why you would waste such a magnificent invention on magic tricks! That preposterous notion is the main failing of both movie and book.
LibraryThing member Daniel.Estes
I saw the movie version first, which is a stunning work of cinema by director Christopher Nolan, and that led me back to the source material by Christopher Priest. This novel is an engaging bit of storytelling even though most will agree it meanders when compared with the movie. Studying them
The story of The Prestige is the story of the rivalry between two magicians, Borden and Angier, obsessed with the craft, and their journal entries often serve as the narration. The book has more room to explore and frame the story around the family legacies of the two men, and it also dives deeply into the turn-of-the-century interest in spiritism, which is absent from the film.
Show More
together is a good master's class on the differences between the mediums.The story of The Prestige is the story of the rivalry between two magicians, Borden and Angier, obsessed with the craft, and their journal entries often serve as the narration. The book has more room to explore and frame the story around the family legacies of the two men, and it also dives deeply into the turn-of-the-century interest in spiritism, which is absent from the film.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bell7
A young journalist travels to a town in pursuit of a story related to a local cult, only to find a story of a very different nature awaiting him. It will involve the history of his birth family, dueling magicians, secrets, and more.
I have seen and loved the film which is based on this book (and how
I have seen and loved the film which is based on this book (and how
Show More
did I just find out that there was a book?), so I thought I knew what I was in for. Not so. The book is quite different, and without going into too much detail because the twists and turns are so much of the fun, I will say that I was equally surprised by the end and felt that same need to watch - er, sorry, read - it over again to take in all the details. Multiple narrators take up threads of the story with few if any of them understanding it in full, and the movie's nonlinear storytelling mimics this to some degree. The story is complex and tells a magical tale in a fully believable way. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Christopher Priest. Show Less
LibraryThing member LizaJane38
This book is like the slowest magic trick ever. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it. I'm just not sure. That being said, it was well written and engaging.
LibraryThing member vidalia11
I loved the movie, so checked out this audiobook. The story is quite different from the film version. I must say the film was better! I admire the screenwriter for improving on it.
LibraryThing member orangemonkey
Basically, I ran out and picked this book up as quickly as I could after watching the excellent film by Christopher Nolan. Of course, having seen the film spoiled the ending for me a bit, although knowing the ending allowed me to enjoy the ride for what it was, rather than trying to figure out what
The basic plot: two Victorian-era magicians from differing backgrounds feud, and become obsessed with being better than each other, regardless of the personal cost. It's a terribly harrowing story, watching what depths the two men will sink to in order to achieve greatness, and seeing how terribly obsession can destroy one's life.
One of the most fascinating thing about the story is the structure of it - the entire story is told through a succession of memoirs and journal entries, which allow us to see greatly differing interpretations of the events of the story.
If you had to choose between reading the book and seeing the film, I would recommend the film; however, I would definitely recommend experiencing both to get the 'full experience'.
Show More
the secret of the film was.The basic plot: two Victorian-era magicians from differing backgrounds feud, and become obsessed with being better than each other, regardless of the personal cost. It's a terribly harrowing story, watching what depths the two men will sink to in order to achieve greatness, and seeing how terribly obsession can destroy one's life.
One of the most fascinating thing about the story is the structure of it - the entire story is told through a succession of memoirs and journal entries, which allow us to see greatly differing interpretations of the events of the story.
If you had to choose between reading the book and seeing the film, I would recommend the film; however, I would definitely recommend experiencing both to get the 'full experience'.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Fence
The Prestige is a book that covers three different generations of two families, told by a number of different narrators, all in the first person, as they tell their stories in their diaries. Those of you who have seen the film version will be aware that the prestige of the title is the payoff to a
In a way I regret having seen the film because it meant that I knew what was going on when I should really have been trying to figure it out. But then again, if I’d never seen the film I may never have heard of the author, or picked up this book so I shouldn’t complain. And there are huge differences between the plot of the film and that of the book. However the rivalry between the two magicians dominates both and I’d say that the film follows the atmosphere and style of the book, even if it alters several key episodes. And for some reason, while I had no problem imagining Bale as the character in the book, I can’t say the same for Jackson.
As a result of the way this book is written you come to know both sides of the story, you get to see how both magicians are wrong, and wronged at the same the time. And how despite regretting much of what they have done they just can’t see a way to get past the feud. And then there is the secrecy and obsession that is really at the heart of this novel. Both characters have their secrets, their own personal obsessions that they will never stop pursuing.
I really enjoyed this novel; despite feeling that I knew too much it succeeded in gripping my attention. The characters were perfectly drawn and totally believable. Priest also manages to make the feud almost understandable from both perspectives. The modern characters didn’t interest me quite as much, but then again they had a lot less time “on-screen”, so to speak. You could argue that parts of it are a little slow; after all telling the story from different perspectives means that certain scenes are repeated, albeit from a different viewpoint or interpretation. The resolution of the book is very different from the film, and I’m not quite sure if the final scene works, but it does linger in the mind a little.
Show More
magic trick. What you might not know is that this term was invented by Priest but has since come into common usage among practising magicians. The main story revolves around two feuding magicians; Alfred Borden and Rupert “Robbie” Angier. Throughout both of their careers the two magicians try their hardest to upset and humiliate the other, each action then having a reaction, and then a further action, as is often the way in these things.In a way I regret having seen the film because it meant that I knew what was going on when I should really have been trying to figure it out. But then again, if I’d never seen the film I may never have heard of the author, or picked up this book so I shouldn’t complain. And there are huge differences between the plot of the film and that of the book. However the rivalry between the two magicians dominates both and I’d say that the film follows the atmosphere and style of the book, even if it alters several key episodes. And for some reason, while I had no problem imagining Bale as the character in the book, I can’t say the same for Jackson.
As a result of the way this book is written you come to know both sides of the story, you get to see how both magicians are wrong, and wronged at the same the time. And how despite regretting much of what they have done they just can’t see a way to get past the feud. And then there is the secrecy and obsession that is really at the heart of this novel. Both characters have their secrets, their own personal obsessions that they will never stop pursuing.
I really enjoyed this novel; despite feeling that I knew too much it succeeded in gripping my attention. The characters were perfectly drawn and totally believable. Priest also manages to make the feud almost understandable from both perspectives. The modern characters didn’t interest me quite as much, but then again they had a lot less time “on-screen”, so to speak. You could argue that parts of it are a little slow; after all telling the story from different perspectives means that certain scenes are repeated, albeit from a different viewpoint or interpretation. The resolution of the book is very different from the film, and I’m not quite sure if the final scene works, but it does linger in the mind a little.
Show Less
LibraryThing member opinion8dsngr
While the plot does have some interesting twists and a unique writing structure towards the beginning. This book fails itself about two thirds of the way through leading up to an illogical and boring ending. I still gave it two stars though because it's clear that some of the better points in the
Show More
book inspired the movie, which is brilliant. My advice, just see the movie. Show Less
LibraryThing member ague
Very original book. Became impossible to put down at one point in the middle. Would not have thought this structure of changing point of views would have worked but it was pulled off. Ending did not quite work and there were some less than thrilling parts. I wonder if the movie was good. It would
Show More
be a hard book to make into a movie. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Fiction — 2007)
World Fantasy Award (Nominee — Novel — 1996)
James Tait Black Memorial Prize (Winner — Fiction — 1995)
Arthur C. Clarke Award (Shortlist — 1996)
British Science Fiction Association Award (Shortlist — Novel — 1995)
This Mystery is Amazing! (#10 — 2005)
The Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (Science Fiction and Fantasy)
Language
Original publication date
1995
Physical description
368 p.; 6.6 inches
ISBN
0765356171 / 9780765356178
Local notes
A complex tale of a pair of rival magicians in turn-of-the-century London. Each has a winning trick the other craves, but so arcane is the nature of these tricks, so incredibly difficult are they to perform, that they take on a peculiar life of their own?in one case involving a mysterious apparent double identity, in the other a reliance on the ferocious powers unleashed in the early experimental years of electricity. The rivalry of the two men is such that in the end, though both are ashamed of the strength of their feelings of spite and envy, it consumes them both, and affects their respective families for generations.