The Prestige: A Story Told in Many Forms

It is the 1878, two illusionists meet at fraudulent séance. The results are less than ideal; in fact the fraudulent séance has gone awry for one illusionist and a negative self-realization of the other. Unfortunately, this event has sparked a feud between the two stage magicians. A feud that will cause fatal consequences and the problem that their children and children’s attempt to resolve.

Enter the world stage magic and fantasy.

I saw this book last Friday as I passed by a different bookstore in Cubao. And they were having their post-Christmas sale. There were a number of books about. Not as many as the Ancient Library of Alexandria nor the English village that claimed to have all the books in the world nor the books stored in the different great libraries around the world, but it had many.

While I was quietly browsing the book and making the rounds inside the bookshop then I saw this book. I hesitate to specifically state the genre of the book, only that it is a fantasy book.

The book was in softbound format and it was printed on a form of paper, newsprint. According to information found at the back of the book this was the first edition of the book printed in paperback. And that it had won the World Fantasy Award and Britain’s James Tait Black Memorial Prize.

I bought the book.

It is an interesting read it is one of the books that I have come across that have used the different forms of story telling in one tale. The use of different storytelling devices is quite effective in bringing together, contrasting, and developing the story and the views of the different characters in the book.

Its hard to put down the book once you have started to read it. Do I think it is a good book? Yes! Without a doubt, it is a good book. Will it become a classic, maybe only time will tell.

The Book was awarded the World Fantasy Award and Britain’s James Tait Black Memorial Prize.

A worthwhile read.

The Sign of A Well Loved Book?

A few days I discovered that one of the books, which my nephews and I read a lot, vandalised. Each line in the Table of Contents was crossed-over with a green marker. Needless, they say I was initially distraught and thought of several ways to exact punishment on the culprit, then it dawned on me that it was my nephews who did it. After, a quick verbal reprimand it hit me. Through the years, several books had also passed through my hands and my siblings hands and not all of them were spared. It took some time before we were able to realize how to take care of books. I remember my worn-out copy of Dr Seuss' McElligot's Pool and the Cat in the Hat.

Well what is more important a well-used book or a book in mint condition? What is the mettle and value of a book?

Maybe somewhere in between. One thing is for sure though books are meant for riding.

And somehow, it made that particular vandalism of the Dr Seuss book a great deal more bearable. At least they learned not to vandalize a book. And at least they are not book burners. Book burning is more malicious I think, especially if its done on purpose like what Shi Huang Di, The First Emperor of China, did. At least Julius Ceasar wept when the Great Library of Alexandria was accidentally burned.

Book Tastes

It’s January again and it seems despite my best efforts I have before me a pile of books, both brand new and not so new, for perusing.

Some can be described as hard to find. Some can be described as poignant. Some can be as saccharine as true sugar and honey. One thing though described them as my books. The books I like to read.

I was enjoying lunch with a couple of office friends last week and the discussion went to books. And it was kind of surprising to learn that despite, what seemed to be our mutual love for books. The books we liked were as similar as the Moon and the Sun. Some liked the history books, others preferred the old writers (even in that set there were the lovers and haters of Dickens), and some the new and still some loved to read just about anything. There seems to be an endless of books available for everyone. Each suited for one need and each tailored to one's taste.