Derren Brown's Notes from a Fellow Traveller

[@EruditeMagic]

👏 Audiences Prefer Mentalism ▶ kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2q9pXWJmcuEn7s

[@yuriydisman6829]

I'm not finished with it yet. About 155 pages in, and it is a joy to read, although I don't necessarily know all the words and have to stop at times to look up the word here and there. I think close-up or not anybody can get a lot out of the advice in this book. And although he doesn't talk about methods, he talks about how and even where he is hiding them which is more important. I feel that he reveals all the truly important secrets, since we don't need him for the methods. The methods he uses are all pretty standard anyways.

[@EruditeMagic]

Glad you like it - thanks for the comment!!

[@AnthonyMetivierMMM]

Bring on the big vocabulary. I’ve been reading 80s sci fi lately, and even if some things are stale, the word range is much more interesting. I haven’t read this one, but it seems like it would have wider appeal than just magicians and mentalists based on your description. I only saw him once and there was indeed a hangup in the show. But probably only people who know about dual reality, multiple outs and how obvious certain props can be to some extra attentive skeptics noticed D.B. squirm. I thought he handled it marvellously, all things considered.

[@EruditeMagic]

I hope you enjoy the book! 👍

[@sc24evr]

The book is back on sale in hardback on derren’s site!

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@Davlavi]

great review.

[@SpeakerGregoryDwyer]

Love the book and love buying old books from Don.

[@EruditeMagic]

And *I love to hear *that, Gregory! 💙

[@waynewright2939]

@@EruditeMagic it has been a while since Don has done a discount… I keep waiting for a code lol 🤞🏼

[@EruditeMagic]

I'll pass the word along! 😉

[@MichaelCheney-nd3lt]

Love the review. Got my copy earlier this week and while I have been too busy for much else, your review got me immediately into reading and note taking it. My copy (paperback) was a perfect copy and the packaging was intended to weather cross Atlantic travel.

[@EruditeMagic]

So glad to hear it - enjoy!!

[@az7500]

Hey Jeff, your review is extremely helpful. I am hoping to get a copy when hardback edition is reprinted. I had an amusing encounter with Derren Brown. I went to see his show "Secrets" in NYC, caught a freesbee, went up as a volunteer....and after shaking my hand and inquiring about my profession ("Scientist"), he sent me back to my seat, stating something in the order "Apologies, but this is not going to work". LOL, but DB summarized our relationship status for many years to come.

[@EruditeMagic]

You may discover why he sent you back to your seat once you read the book...

[@az7500]

@@EruditeMagic I prefer for this episode to remain a mystery.... it did not look very professional. It still bothers me that some of his TV presentations venture into the dark territory with use of stooges, paid actors, split screens and heavy editorial work.

[@CraigDR]

Fantastic review as always. Very thorough and thoughtful!

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks for watching!

[@mysteriesinmind]

This is the Erudite video I have been most excited about, and you didn't disappoint. I need to save nickels to get the paperback, but I'm psyched about it -- maybe especially because it isn't PERFECT, you know? Mentalism would be incredibly boring if it were!

[@EruditeMagic]

I'm so glad you liked it, Aden! Enjoy the book 👍👍

[@davidalnwick]

First off, great channel. If you can, do 'Our Magic,' it's one of the best. I was so looking forward to this review and it didn't disappoint. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a kick out of listening to a reviewer say the stuff I'm thinking, #validation. Totally agree, the book is damn fantastic. I can't wait to read it again. Regarding the controversy, price wise I think it's 'fine.' Ideally, I'd want this book in mainstream bookstores and have it sell for £10, because this is what young magicians should be reading. Still, I get it's niche, and the high price needs reflect that, and Derren is 'probably' the greatest living magician so his advice is worth it. Although yeah, my paperback copy felt low quality binding, which is a bit daft considering the price. Stylistically, I get it, the guy is a touring artist first and foremost. Formatting this book in any way other than diary style would have made it way more difficult to write, and as you mentioned his writing style is pretty great for it. I perform on stage full time, I do 3-4 shows a day at the Edinburgh Fringe festival every year (I'm here now) amounting to over 70 hour long performances (of three different shows) in 3 weeks. I'm lucky I get to do that, and I'm grateful for it. Reading Derren's stuff I felt 'seen', as the kids would say. The guy has gone through it all, and like you mentioned, it echoed my own experiences (and no doubt countless other performers). It's just nice to know you're not alone. As much of a privilege as it is, sometimes it's lonely on stage, and it's cathartic to know I'm not the only one who feels that. So yeah, 10/10 review for a 10/10 book. Lol, wouldn't it be a laugh if he just started releasing $5 downloads on penguin.

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks for the feedback and the validation the other way, David! Your punchline made me laugh 😆

[@ExpertoenMagia]

Great review. I almost finish my copy of the book and I personally found it very interesting and worth the price (magic books are expensive in general). I am from Spain and I am surprise to hear that Derren´s writing style is also difficult for english native speakers 🤣

[@EruditeMagic]

It's not *necessarily difficult, but it could be if people aren't used to a British style

[@thewiseturtle]

Funny story, decades ago, Penn and Teller wrote a book that was cleverly also a set of magic tricks in and of itself. At some point soon after the book's release they showed up to the bookstore I worked at for their signing tour event. I had the unfortunate pleasure of letting them know that I'd discovered that there was a misprint on the back cover that made a trick fail. (Also, coincidentally, and not at all anything I had involvement with, basically no one showed up to the signing, because it apparently wasn't advertised!) While they were definitely not happy to hear my news, they were at least very generous and kind to me, and I got not just the book signed, but one of the event posters signed as well. So it's something to know that publishing a book is often likely to result in some sort of frustrating mistake that doesn't get picked up until well after it's been printed and delivered to the public's hands, no matter how careful and intelligent and attentive you might be.

[@EruditeMagic]

That's fascinating! Thanks for sharing your story 👍

[@steveblack7552]

I purchased the paperback version as I assumed the delivery would be faster . The delivery from Derrens site was VERY slow and the communication awful. I did eventually receive an apology e-mail for the dispatch delay but no resolution . A possible explanation could be an under estimation of the popularity but it was unprofessional. I have now received my copy but it has unfortunately been confiscated by my wife until Christmas !!!!

[@EruditeMagic]

Sounds like it could have been a lot later, and you'd still be waiting until the same date to read it 😝

[@Dr.Tinkerpaw]

So I have an opportunity to drop a big chunk of money on a copy of Absolute Magic. But I've lived this long without it. Would I get as much or equal to from Notes From a Fellow Traveler? Darren's new book is still in print and under $100. Which I'm leaning towards, if it offers the same advice as the very expensive and out of print Absolute Magic

[@EruditeMagic]

They are not the same things. Absolute Magic focuses around the theory of presenting effective magic, while this book is geared more towards stagecraft, participant handling, structure of the show, etc., IMO.

[@Dr.Tinkerpaw]

@@EruditeMagic So what you're saying is, I need both.😃

[@Ambo100]

Would love to buy it but it seems very very expensive even for just the paperback version.

[@EruditeMagic]

Yeah, as I mentioned, he doesn't print many books, and this is intended to be a lifetime of lessons distilled into one book. I get it that it's pricey, and therefore won't be for everyone 🤷🏻

[@Ambo100]

@@EruditeMagic Have you read his other books like Tricks Of The Mind and Confessions of a Conjuror? I suppose they are more for the general population but I wondered if you had any thoughts on them?

[@EruditeMagic]

@Ambo100 I have not, since you are correct that they are for the general population. I'm more interested in books that are specifically for magicians and mentalists

[@ScottRSmith1964]

I didn’t see a discount code for Don’s Magic and Books, did I miss it?

[@EruditeMagic]

There wasn't one this week, Scott.

[@ScottRSmith1964]

@@EruditeMagic thank you.

[@EruditeMagic]

You bet, my friend!!

[@jonahberg9280]

What are your favourite Scott creasey effects

[@eliyahuw]

I heard this may be carried by American dealers at some point (so we wouldn't need to pay those exorbitant shipping rates). Any idea if that's true?

[@EruditeMagic]

Nope. But I doubt it 🤷🏻 I think Derren will continue to sell these himself, but that's just an opinion. I have no facts to back it up

[@jonahberg9280]

Do you have billets for the modern mindreader by Julien losa and if so what do you think

[@EruditeMagic]

Nope 🤷🏻

[@carlov5740]

Just an advise...DO NOT BUY IT if you are in europe. My book has been stuck at customs for the past 2 months and nobody knows how long will it takes.

[@sashamagician]

SAME!

[@MexieMex]

Is the writing style like Happy or more like his earlier books?

[@EruditeMagic]

Haven't read Happy, so couldn't comment. But, since it's not tricks, I assume it's like that

[@MexieMex]

@@EruditeMagic OK, let me phrase the question another way then. Does he appear to have an editor in this book? I really enjoy his two other magic books and his early non (fully) magic books, but Happy was such a slog to try and get through.

[@EruditeMagic]

@MexieMex yes, Alex Hansford is the editor. Also, James Hilston copy edited and proofread

[@MexieMex]

@@EruditeMagic Thanks, I'll probably pick up a copy at some point then.

[@TheRealWinsletFan]

It sold out in 6 minutes, not 15!

[@EruditeMagic]

"under 15" - I didn't time it 😆 Thanks for the clarification!

[@TheRealWinsletFan]

@@EruditeMagic :-) I wasn't fast enough, by mere seconds. I had to wait for the second launch. But I got the hardback, and just finished it yesterday. Liked it very much. Your review is pretty much on point too .

[@EruditeMagic]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@ScottRSmith1964]

I think Darren is living off his previous books that sell at ridiculous prices because he printed a small amount of them. I believe he purposely printed a small amount to build up the hype. It’s more of a autobiography than a magic book and that tells me it is highly overpriced. Why is he so popular? I have never seen him perform, nor have I heard of him having a show in the USA. My biggest problem is that he is overcharging his fans for a few extra bucks. We as magicians that love books are letting the hype and shorting of the books take more of our money. I’ll skip it. As always, thank you Jeff. Your review reconfirmed my thoughts even though you love it. It would piss me off to see this book get book of the year for shorting his inventory and overcharging, but I could be alone.

[@EruditeMagic]

Hey Scott, I understand and appreciate your viewpoint, but I'm not sure that I can agree. I don't think the volume printed was low (intentionally or otherwise), but since this is not his primary business, he's learning from those mistakes. There are still plenty of the paperback version, so the book was not short printed. However, it's possible that they underestimated how much people would want the hardback. It happens. 🤷🏻 I further understand they are printing more, but it will take a few weeks to get them in. I think it's supposed to be the same price, but I haven't spoken directly to his team. His previous book releases were not on his own. H&R Books printed them, so he doesn't make any money when those books exchange hands in the secondary market. He has done two tours in NYC, and my wife and I had the privilege of seeing him there in September 2019. He's a great performer, and it was a wonderful show. I know you have often encouraged others not to write off magic clubs just because of a few bad apples. Similarly, I would tell you not to let other magicians' furor over a book color your opinion of Derren. He really is a great performer, and this is a wonderful book. Thanks for your time and consideration.

[@sashamagician]

Beautiful message Jeff!

[@TheRealWinsletFan]

Wut? Derren is not living off his previous books. They're in the seconds market, he gets no more cash from them, maybe still some more cachet, but only from magicians. I do wish he'd reprint Pure Effect though. I'd like own a copy and ditch the dodgy PDF scan I definitely don't have and have never seen.

[@KevinGoosie]

​@@TheRealWinsletFanWish he would PDF that one!!

[@ExpertoenMagia]

Why is he so popular? Living off his previous books? I guess you dont know much about Derren or mentalism in general 😅