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Roger Kelly Inner circle Kent, England 3332 Posts |
I see quite a few of these going for astronomical amounts on on-line auctions, They say that they were withdrawn by the author and are now, consequently, very rare.
Does anyone know why Derren pulled Pure Effect? |
green New user 86 Posts |
Not only pure effect, but also absolute magic. Don't know if he will pull off Devil picture later.
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Zap Regular user 181 Posts |
From the email announcement of Richard Hatch of H&R Books (the publisher): "Derren Brown has asked us not to reprint either of his books, Pure Effect and Absolute Magic due to concerns about the direction his career is taking and his own pending publication for the general public."
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Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-02-02 07:58, Zap wrote: I just found this stated rationale for pulling the books to be very strangly or awkwardly worded. At the very least, I found the phraseology to be very formalized and stilted. Had me wondering: Is the material in the book not universally applicable for all forms of magic? Or does Derren not want his name (and the public's perception of him) to be associated with that type of magic? What does "concerns about the direction his career is taking" mean and what does his career change have to do with what he previously printed? Or, in the books, does Derren discuss some of his current techniques used and he doesn't want the public to reflect on the material in the book and now know that his current stage persona is "explainable" by a thorough reading of the material in those books? When I read that quote, I immediately thought about another magician, Michael Sibbernsen. Up until 2001, Michael was a "magician" but, in 2001, he shed the magician's cloak and donned the mentalist's mantle. Mentalism is all he is now involved in. I could see a person like Michael not wanting his previously published magic effects republished because, to the extent the general public knew "he was once a magician" it might dilute the mentalist "branded" image he has created and it might have audience members think that everything "mental" it accomplishes is "merely" done with tricks. Perhaps this is the type of rationale going on in Derren's mind. But as I say, the stated rationale for not re-publishing the books seemed to me to be very strangely or awkwardly worded. Mike
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
silverking Inner circle 4574 Posts |
From the get go I've translated this publication "ban" as follows.
A reasonably succesful mentalist releases a couple of books containing some of his most powerful material. He doesn't realize at the time that the material is in fact some of the most powerful material EVER to make it into print for mentalists. He also has no way of predicting that in a very short time after he publishes this material he himself will achieve great success and wide reknown for his brilliant routines. He becomes in effect the worlds #1 or #2 mentalist. Upon reflection he realizes that he released far to much of his original material far to early in his career and makes the decision to cease all further printings of his books, thus limiting forever just how many folks will have access to his best stuff. At least that's how I read it |
Stephen Long Inner circle 1481 Posts |
Having spoken to DB about this, I can reliably inform you that the reasoning was as follows:
Both Pure Effect and Absolute Magic have been around for the six or so years that he's been on TV and he's never worried about 'explanations' for his conjuring being out there. Neither books are concerned much with what he's done on TV, and he's always been very open about the magic content of what he does. However, he's noted a large number of 'lay' fans getting hold of his magic books which he does find a bit odd, in the same way that any specialist magic book getting read by large numbers of non-magicians might be seen as not ideal for the magic fraternity. So when he published his own book ('Tricks of the Mind') for the general public, with a view to publishing more as well, he knew that large numbers of lay folk would try and track down any previous works. He thought it made sense to pull them before that happened. The email announcement was an early one written by H&R and DB had them alter their wording in future announcements as the bit about 'career direction' suggested completely the wrong thing. Hope this helps.
Hello.
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silverking Inner circle 4574 Posts |
That's sort of what I said, but with a PR spin to it.
I NEVER expect to be reading the actual truth about this or any other "career" decision made by an entertainer. Entertainers primary interest is in themselves (nothing wrong with that) and everything they do and say is designed to further their public image. Regardless, the decision to stop all further publication of the first two books has raised the price so high that the average duffer would never be able to afford one, even if they could find one for sale. Mission accomplished. |
PapaG Special user 851 Posts |
I have a copy for sale.
PM me if interested. |
Chris H Inner circle Melbourne, Australia 1364 Posts |
I have both, but gee I wish I had mint copies...
-- Topher |
Cane and Able New user The Great White North 82 Posts |
The books are ok. I wouldn't go crazy paying big dollars to buy them.
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Roger Kelly Inner circle Kent, England 3332 Posts |
I'll hang on to my Absolute Magic then! I doubt if I'd ever part with it!
Thanks for the explanations folks. I'm enlightened - but saddened! |
joneseymagic New user Dave Jones 62 Posts |
Regarding Stephen Long's posting; I have just checked and both "Pure Effect" and "Absolute Magic" are both available from my local Public Libraray!! It appears Derren's reasoning is sound!
It does amaze me that the prices for the "normal editions" of his books are so high! The real "rare" version of "Pure Effect" is the first spiral bound edition which I believe was only available after his lecture at the International Magic Convention, and possibly at one of Duncan Trillo's Mind Magic events. This is the edition containing explanations of "Lift" and "Reminiscence", and I believe (although I could be wrong) that there are only about 50 copies of these in existence. Derren, very kindly gave me a signed copy of his self-published "Absolute Magic" which I assume is harder to find than the H&R reprint. Slightly smaller format than the reprint with a maroon cover. I think all the copies that have come up for sale recently are the later H&R reprints. Dave |
Chase New user Arkansas 98 Posts |
Also, one should not discount the fact that Derren Brown thinks it's very funny to stir up trouble occasionally. (And he's right. It IS very funny to stir up trouble occasionally.) He even mentions in the reprint of "Absolute Magic" that he considered removing a chapter or two from said reprint just to be an ***#*!& and stir up some mess.
It's a genius way to make the secrets to his pet effects even more special and desirable. I'm just glad I've tucked away a copy of each publication. |
ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
Joneseymagic wrote:
Quote:
The real "rare" version of "Pure Effect" is the first spiral bound edition which I believe was only available after his lecture at the International Magic Convention, and possibly at one of Duncan Trillo's Mind Magic events. This is the edition containing explanations of "Lift" and "Reminiscence", and I believe (although I could be wrong) that there are only about 50 copies of these in existence. One of these originals is currently on eBay.co.uk (though the seller will ship worldwide). A rare opportunity for anyone interested!
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Open up your mind Regular user 131 Posts |
I read and loved pure effect but there’s one thing about it that I actually found very upsetting. Prior to the release of pure effect, and indeed for a while onwards, Derren had not come out as gay. One of the chapters is entitled: “Enhancing your attractiveness to the spectator” and it is all about he, as a man, essentially seduces female spectators to build rapport. Throughout the book, in fact, he goes out of his way to stress that he is straight. I just find it extremely sad that he should feel the need to actively go out of the way to make people think he is straight.
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1031ent New user 64 Posts |
Pure Effect is a great book and worth the $200 you will spend. The Devils Picture Book DVD was re-released and it is the effects for Pure Effect with maybe one or two missing. I personally think this book is excellent.
I have owned two copies of Absolute Magic and read it two different times. Although it is the more expensive of the two books, I think it is over rated. There are no effects explained, only a brief pick pocketing sequence. This book is mainly on character and performance. I simply don't think his style meshes well with my style, so I didn't find it very useful. |
1031ent New user 64 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 8, 2021, Open up your mind wrote: Well he didn't release the book in 2021. A lot has changed in the last twenty years. This does not effect my opinion of him. I also think the chapter you are referring too (false anchors) is in absolute magic and not pure effect. I could be wrong. |
Open up your mind Regular user 131 Posts |
Good point. It could be in both, but I know for sure that it’s definitely in pure effect. Unfortunately, I have never read absolute magic so I’m not totally sure. I think it’s just a sad thing, especially as an LGBTQ+ person in mentalist, that he was forced to add whole sections for what appears to be covering up his sexuality. I also remember he makes several (quite sexist) jokes about women, seemingly to stress that he is straight, throughout.
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Herman Koster New user Netherlands 2 Posts |
Put pure effect on eBay a week ago. Still 14 hours left.
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