- Paperback: 576 pages
- Publisher: Sceptre (28 Dec 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340936274
- ISBN-13: 978-0340936276
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 495,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Carter Beats the Devil
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
With romance, magic and science as its central themes, Glen David Gold's impressive debut Carter Beats The Devil is an inspired delight, a dazzling combination of fact and fiction. Charles Carter is given his stage name "Carter the Great" by the legendary Harry Houdini and the jazz age of the early 1900s is clearly well researched, yet the romance and strong cast of characters must owe more to the imagination than to history.
The novel begins in 1923 with the most daring performance of Carter's life. Unfortunately, two hours into the performance, US President Harding is dead and the magician must flee the country, pursued by the Secret Service. This is only an instalment in Carter's amazing life though as we are guided from his childhood, where both the family servant and a circus freak bullied him, to his rise to stardom and his eventual performance in front of the president. Subsequently, the protagonist is crippled by loneliness, widowed and hunted down by those who believe him a murderer and yet he rises again and again to delight and fulfil the highest expectations of his audience. The strong narrative and storyline make for a compelling read. And Carter is such a magical character that you cannot fail to be touched by him--loving whom he does and hating his enemies.
This is an ambitious and compulsive novel and deserves all the praise that Carter himself received and more. If you like this, you may also be interested in reading Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay --Hannah Smith --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Here is a book - a first novel, no less - to blow you away. It seeks to stun and amaze and deceive and, always, to entertain...it works on every level'
(Guardian )'An electrifying mystery tour from the turn of the 20th century to the end of the roaring twenties...[it] casts a spell that is sly, intoxicating, deceitful and enduring. Savour its every page'
(Independent )'A quirky life story that transmutes into a John Buchan thriller...Engaging, comical and, yes, magical, this is a sure-fire contender for the debut novel of the year'
(Independent on Sunday )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book when I was feeling really down. Long train journey ahead, I thought it looked a thick and meaty read, somthing value for money. I don't usually go for books about 'magic', so was a little wary, but I thought what the heck. I'm glad I did.
The first third is tightly written and dark, but with a dash of humour that makes it difficult to supress a smile (especially when Carter explores his mothers bedroom). This opens the rest of the book beautifully.
Carter is a believable character, even though he is an unlikely hero- he's written in a very human way, given his profession and background. He could well have felt like a bit of a smart arse, but you feel his pain accutely, and share his joys and victories.
A book for easing you back to reality by drifting you into fantasy, lifting your spirits and learning to accept that you too can grab joy from the jaws of dispair. Thrilling and moving.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When people ask you about the book you're reading and you tell them it's a fictitious account of the life of an early 20th century stage magician, the usual response is not for them to say "Really? You must tell me more!" But resembles much more a silent bewilderment at how boring you must be. At least, in my experience, and maybe because I'm not very good at making things sound exciting. But this really is a very good book indeed. Honest. It is funny, gripping and genuinely captivating. It's one of those books you sit down with the intention of reading for twenty minutes or so, then find four hours have magically disappeared into the ether. Charles Carter, the principal character, is depicted beautifully, as the book follows his life from a young boy with a book on magic and some paternally frowned upon dreams, to Carter the Great. It's really impossible to describe the story, with its array of characters and plot twists, I can only say it is a truly amazing story written in a beautiful, easy style, that captures you at the start and doesn't let you go, and may also make you go off and buy books on card and coin tricks. Hats off to Mr. Gold.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was great fun; rather a 'Boy's Own' kind of adventure, and quite different from my usual reading choices, but thoroughly enjoyable. It tells the story of Charles Carter, an American stage magician through the early part of the 20th century. It seems very well researched, based on the lives of theatrical performers of the time, and I liked the historical detail. Gold evokes the atmosphere and excitement of the theatre beautifully. The characters are engaging, and the twists and turns of the plot compelling. Both the story and the writing style are reminiscent of E.L Doctorow - I suppose Houdini's role in the book particularly brought to mind Doctorow's 'Ragtime', which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys 'Carter Beats the Devil'.
Good stuff!
Good stuff!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A little gem!
A mate and I were discussing Boardwalk Empire and how it was such an interesting era. He then recommended this book on the basis that it is set around that time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. L. Rider
Glorious
Probably my favourite book of the last few years. I love the early passages about Carter's discovery of magic and the things he can do. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gareth Davies
More of a Draw than a Beating
I don't quite share the enthusiasm of many other people for this book. To start with I found it overlong and were never quite sure of whether it wanted to be a mystery novel, an... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Peter Steward
so long with no direction....
this is a huge, huge, huge, huge book - what a waste of my time, no real direction and poorly written from the outset.
Published 8 months ago by Gcrikey
Over 600 pages but most of them great fun...
This is the tale of a magician as he tries to make a living from a dying art and repeatedly gets himself into (and out of) scrapes with frightening enemies like the FBI, pirates... Read more
Published 8 months ago by M Arif
Overall, Very good
I would have given this book 5 stars for most of it, with the interesting and sometimes creepy characters and events that occur throughout act 1 and act 3. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Dave
I loved this book!
I discovered this book in a free Waterstones guide to Cult Fiction and liked the cover!
To my mind this book is the ultimate in escapism; it sucks me in and i struggle... Read more
To my mind this book is the ultimate in escapism; it sucks me in and i struggle... Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by Robin Davies
magical story telling
was recommended this book by a new work colleague,wasn't sure of their tastes, so approached with caution, especially with that cover picture. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2010 by Andrew Weir
A superb read
I came across this book when I noticed its eye-catching cover and title in a bookstore and I'm so glad I ordered it. Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2009 by B. Grehs
Enjoyable novel of the art of deception
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - although at 608 pages, it would have been even better for being a little shorter. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by Fiction Fan
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