Confessions of a Conjuror
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Review
It combines a playfully baroque prose style with pinpoint observation and almost excruciating levels of self-examination, if not loathing. It's a fascinating experience. -- Al Kennedy, Guardian (Books of the Year)
Book Description
The UK's best loved illusionist takes us on a journey to the centre of his brain
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I love this book as I have long been a fan of Derren Brown, and I'm very interested in the way he thinks.This book is entirely comprised of descriptions of his thought processes, insecurities and childhood memories, providing a very personal insight into his life.
Yes, as many negative reviewerss have pointed out, Derren tends to ramble on somewhat, making use of sometimes overlapping multiple-page footnotes, in which he will often go off at several tangents, necessitating a backwards traversal through both pages and thought processes, to find the place at which he left off. But rather than seeming unstructured, I think that this is part of the books charm and appeal.
And yes, Derren uses long words, but again I can't see how that is a negative, unless your vocabulary is somewhat below average. I for one find it refreshing to read a book by a 'celebrity' who has a good command of the English language and isn't afraid to use it. If you find that frustrating, perhaps something like Chris Moyles' autobiography would be more appealing.
If you like Derren's TV shows, but aren't particularly interested in the man himself, or magic/conjuring in general, then you may not get much enjoyment from this book. But if like me, you are fascinated by what goes on in the mind of such a person, then I think you'll find it an enjoyable and interesting read.
Yes, as many negative reviewerss have pointed out, Derren tends to ramble on somewhat, making use of sometimes overlapping multiple-page footnotes, in which he will often go off at several tangents, necessitating a backwards traversal through both pages and thought processes, to find the place at which he left off. But rather than seeming unstructured, I think that this is part of the books charm and appeal.
And yes, Derren uses long words, but again I can't see how that is a negative, unless your vocabulary is somewhat below average. I for one find it refreshing to read a book by a 'celebrity' who has a good command of the English language and isn't afraid to use it. If you find that frustrating, perhaps something like Chris Moyles' autobiography would be more appealing.
If you like Derren's TV shows, but aren't particularly interested in the man himself, or magic/conjuring in general, then you may not get much enjoyment from this book. But if like me, you are fascinated by what goes on in the mind of such a person, then I think you'll find it an enjoyable and interesting read.
58 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As befits an illusionist, Derren Brown is himself somewhat of an enigma. He obviously has a very quick mind, and an excellent grasp of human behaviour and how to manipulate it. As a performer, he offers his audiences an entertaining and potentially transformative experience without, apparently, exploiting anyone. A nice, self-assured man. However, the picture he paints here is of someone rather ill at ease with himself, subject (at least in the past) to compulsions ranging from the incovenient to the downright dangerous, and over-anxious to please. These are truly 'Confessions' (I wonder what other C word he considered before settling on 'Conjuror') and the degree of self-loathing he describes is surprising in a celebrity autobiography.
Not sure why, but I am reminded of Derren Brown's piece on 'Barnum statements' that seem very personal but apply to almost everyone. I am also aware that misdirection must be second nature to him. Perhaps the thing to do is leave the book for a while and then reread it with an eye open for alternative interpretations.
Overall. I think those of us who find Derren Brown interesting as a person - and there are plenty of them - will get most from this book, Anyone wanting to know how he does his 'tricks' should look elsewhere, and I'm not sure it quite stands on its own merits as a piece of writing. I hate to criticise a man who is more self-critical than the harshest of reviewers, but the verbose style, use of extensive footnotes and occasional pedantry can be irritating. Actually, thinking about it, it's reminiscent of Stephen Fry in lots of ways, including the self-revelatory tone, but without his light touch. Having said all that, it is very funny in parts, and Derren Brown IS a nice man.
Not sure why, but I am reminded of Derren Brown's piece on 'Barnum statements' that seem very personal but apply to almost everyone. I am also aware that misdirection must be second nature to him. Perhaps the thing to do is leave the book for a while and then reread it with an eye open for alternative interpretations.
Overall. I think those of us who find Derren Brown interesting as a person - and there are plenty of them - will get most from this book, Anyone wanting to know how he does his 'tricks' should look elsewhere, and I'm not sure it quite stands on its own merits as a piece of writing. I hate to criticise a man who is more self-critical than the harshest of reviewers, but the verbose style, use of extensive footnotes and occasional pedantry can be irritating. Actually, thinking about it, it's reminiscent of Stephen Fry in lots of ways, including the self-revelatory tone, but without his light touch. Having said all that, it is very funny in parts, and Derren Brown IS a nice man.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is very hard to describe. It reads like Derren sat down at his laptop and just went off on one. Derren's stories (I suppose I should say whimsies as the word "whimsy" appears on nearly every page it seems) are woven together by one card trick that is taking place in a Bristol restaurant. This trick comes to its finale on the last page of the book.
Derren is clearly a great thinker and there are some brilliant pages of writing, particularly when he describes being crass with someone due to lack of confidence. He manages to hit the nail on the head at times. Subjects such as Derren being irritated by losing his beloved pens in his flat or how he decides to take the lift or stairs in his apartment are covered. There are many funny anecdotes such as when Derren shuts his eyes and lets an old wheelchair bound woman freewheel down a hill in Croydon.
Unfortunately my motivation to finish the book waned due to the book's trivial nature. Much of the most trivial topics are placed in footnotes that run from page to page. One such footnote takes up three quaters of ten pages (believe it or not). At times, his thoughts go on and he simply puts a colon: and then continues the same sentence for the whole page which makes hard reading unless you are sharp as a razor.
To be fair, the book reads like a mind download from Derren, sitting or scurrying around his two apartments-knocked-into-one and putting those thoughts into writing (whether frivolous or not) and I suppose that was the purpose. Clearly no attempt to write down to the reader was made as Derren reaches deep down into his mental thesauraus to pluck the most arcane words from obscurity.
This book is certainly unique. I suppose you will love it or hate it. Derren is capable of much more than this effort however.
Derren is clearly a great thinker and there are some brilliant pages of writing, particularly when he describes being crass with someone due to lack of confidence. He manages to hit the nail on the head at times. Subjects such as Derren being irritated by losing his beloved pens in his flat or how he decides to take the lift or stairs in his apartment are covered. There are many funny anecdotes such as when Derren shuts his eyes and lets an old wheelchair bound woman freewheel down a hill in Croydon.
Unfortunately my motivation to finish the book waned due to the book's trivial nature. Much of the most trivial topics are placed in footnotes that run from page to page. One such footnote takes up three quaters of ten pages (believe it or not). At times, his thoughts go on and he simply puts a colon: and then continues the same sentence for the whole page which makes hard reading unless you are sharp as a razor.
To be fair, the book reads like a mind download from Derren, sitting or scurrying around his two apartments-knocked-into-one and putting those thoughts into writing (whether frivolous or not) and I suppose that was the purpose. Clearly no attempt to write down to the reader was made as Derren reaches deep down into his mental thesauraus to pluck the most arcane words from obscurity.
This book is certainly unique. I suppose you will love it or hate it. Derren is capable of much more than this effort however.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Derren Brown - Confessions Of A Conjuror
After seeing Derren Browns show "Svengali", I immediately wanted to learn more about the man himself. I ordered this book and it said i would have to wait 3-4 days. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Max Hill
Derren Brown - Confessions of a Conjuror
First of all, the item arrived very quickly and was in a better condition than what was described!
I have always been a massive fan of Derren Brown and eventually decided to... Read more
I have always been a massive fan of Derren Brown and eventually decided to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by caitlinnnxxxx
An enriching read
I am fully aware of my bias, and will therefore not pretend this book is for everyone. Not only is it impossible for any book to be liked by 100% of any population, but one... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alexiaden93
derren brown confessions of a conjurer
hello, this was well written very indearing. he is an itellegent man and his wit and humour came out which was funny and delightful
i would recommend it on audio as well as... Read more
i would recommend it on audio as well as... Read more
Published 3 months ago by c.edmond
Very silly...but I loved it!!
This took me a couple of chapters to get into and it's soon obvious there's no serious plot to the book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. S. A. Sumner
'The Waves' + John Cleese on embarrassing incidents + Mr Mullica's...
... plus consideration of Brown's own past. Very unusual style of book, which in some ways reflects a magical 'effect' - not just the mechanics of a trick, and not just the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rerevisionist
Trance inducing
I have enjoyed his previous books and, indeed, have secretly envied his writing style.
Whilst there are some fine psychological insights here they are few and far... Read more
Whilst there are some fine psychological insights here they are few and far... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Bookworn
Witty and interesting, a refreshing change.
Well, just about everything I wanted to say about this book has already been wrote by others in their own reviews. Read more
Published 5 months ago by pri6oner
Beautiful structure
I really like the format of this autobiography; in the same way that a trick is performed and with slight of hand your attention is diverted so to does Derren tell his main story... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sean
Yes it's stylised, but that's no bad thing
I held off reading this for a long time, I'm a fan of Derren Brown and didn't want the disappointing experience of a poor biography from someone I like (a pale shade of discovering... Read more
Published 6 months ago by avid reader
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