Magic - An Uncanny and Painful Story
I saw the movie Magic when I was in Junior High and it stuck with me. Years later, I got my hands on this hardcover version of the book from 1976 and I devoured it with gusto.
The writing in this is so human, so unique and conversational. It reads like rapid-fire thoughts and that's why it's so easy to become enthralled and stay there. It is reminiscent of being in one's own mind and listening to slightly manic thoughts, and that proves to be invaluable to moving the narrative forward.
The story follows Corky, a man who wants to become a famous magician. We are introduced to his past, which touches on some family issues, a forming seed of paranoid delusions, and his love interest, Peggy Ann Snow. Then we follow Corky along in his adult daily life and meet his new act and companion, the ventriloquist dummy named Fats. Corky and Fats are inseparable and it becomes a problem for Corky's career and health.
I felt so touched by the intimate way we get to read about Corky's thoughts and experiences. His childhood behaviors are innocuous and painful, and the sense that he's always been innocent continues into his adulthood. I felt like I got to watch a good man becoming unhinged in the most personal of ways and I was absolutely attached to him by the end.
I was very impressed by William Goldman's writing, and remembering the movie, also impressed with Anthony Hopkins' immaculate portrayal of Corky. This book is so worth the read, and I very much recommend checking out the movie too.
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