Direct Mindreading & Magical Artistry (Pure Effect: Direct Mindreading and Magical Artistry - Derren Brown)

Member Name: sparksteroid

Product:	Pure Effect: Direct Mindreading and Magical Artistry - Derren Brown
Date:	15/11/08 (289 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amusing, vaguely interesting

Disadvantages: Wacky writing style, not much information

Pure Effect is a book that was written by the infamous Derren Brown in his early years. I am not really sure how the book managed to get into the mainstream, but I do remember reading something about a few people finding it in tatters and compiling and sorting it proplerly, before Derren gave them permission to do whatever they want with it! The book is now available from several online retailers, though I don't think Derren ever expected or planned for this to happen.

For those of you that have read Tricks Of The Mind, Pure Effect is in Derren's typical writing style which is full of eccentricity and off the wall humour, though in Pure Effect this style is much more distinct which gives the impression that behind his sensible authorative and professional stage presence, he actually has quite a wacky sense of humour.

The book is subheaded Direct Mindreading And Magical Artistry, though it does seem to focus centrally on personality and charisma basically focusing more on how to please the audience and make sure they witness an entertaining show all provided by a charismatic host which he regards to be the most important aspect of a show.

When it comes down to it, there is actually not much information on mindreading here at all and the book provides more of an informative write-up from the performers point of view. Personally, I think Tricks Of The Mind was a much better and more informative read which holds much more useful information, but as something to read from a psychology point of view, this book can be quite interesting, although I find it is a little too wacky and over the top in places and could do with some fine editing.

Summary: An inaccurately subheaded book written in an eccentric style