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Paul Curry's Worlds Beyond

Paul Curry

Hermetic Press

(Based on 1 review)
Do you remember the first time you saw Paul Curry's "Out of This World" performed? Do you remember how badly it fooled you? Know now that you can own a book full of such magic by the only man who could imagine it.

In Paul Curry's Worlds Beyond you will find the original version of "Out of This World", which some still consider the best of the many variations that have been devised. You will also find all the other Curry classics, "Touch", "The Sliding Knot", "Open Prediction", "The Color-changing Deck", "Never in a Lifetime", "The Power of Thought", "Probability Zero" and "IOU".

But these are just the beginning. Paul Curry's Worlds Beyond contains original Curry card sleights, including his turnover change, and almost seventy tricks and routines that would have brought back that feeling of complete amazement "Out of This World" aroused in you - had you seen them performed before you read their secrets. Now you can arouse the same sense of astonishment in others, when you perform the other-worldly magic of Paul Curry.

Pages 400 - Hardbound with Dust jacket

Reviews

Joe Diamond

Official Reviewer

Mar 19, 2010

I've heard very few professionals talk about this book. With the amount of genius and usable material, high quality printing, & reasonable asking price, it's hard to think why. My theory is that people who read this book decide they want to be the only ones doing something different, so they decide not to talk about the book. EVERYONE does 'Out of this World,' & Paul Curry created many effects that have the same kind of feel as 'Out of this World' but are still radically different.

Well, all those effects are collected in this fantastic volume. Once again, Stephen Minch & Hermetic Press have knocked it out of the park & have kept up their high standard of work. The book is some of Paul Curry's best effects collected in one book, complete with updated historical background & clear illustrations.

Are all the effects winners? No. There are some pretty procedure heavy routines in here, but don't let that stop you from following along. Not only do you have the potential to fool yourself, but you will be amazed at how this man thought. You will also be introduced to new principles you can keep on mental file when working on your own effects.

This is also another one of those books where there is truly something for everyone.

Move Monkeys & Card Fanatics: The first chapter details some different & interesting card sleights, as well as card effects spread throughout the book that range from self working to knuckle busting sleight of hand.

People who are sick of cards: There is a large percentage of this book that is devoted to non card material.

Mentalists: Great stuff that can be easily adapted for stand up mentalism, as well as stuff that will convince your audiences that not only are you psychic, but so are they!

Coin Workers: There's a very cute coin effect using flash paper called 'IOU.' I hate calling something cute, cause it suggests it's weak, but those of you who read the effect will see what I'm talking about. This has a real Jay Sankey feel to it. It seems like something Jay would come up with.

Stage Performers: There is a wonderful moving knot effect towards the end of the book that will fool magicians & laymen alike. The downside is you need to work with assistants, but if you already do, it's easy to make this work into your show. I appreciate this effect because I would NEVER have come up with this cause my brain doesn't work that way. For the solo workers who like to pack small, the classic effect, 'Linked' can be added into your show almost immediately.

History Buffs: There are lots of annotations about what was going on when some of these effects were released. One lasts for almost three & a half pages on the effect 'Touch.' Paul Curry & U.F. Grant both released the same effect & same method around the same time, and the book goes into fascinating detail about these creative giants butting heads.

'A Swindle of Sorts' is the only effect in this book besides 'Out of this World' that I've actually written a script for & performed. It's great. Unlike 'Out of this World' it requires no set up, but the main effect has a similar feel to 'Out of this World.' It's great.

I've seriously looked for something disappointing about the book, but came up with only one thing. Sometimes, when you go the the whole process with cards or whatever props in hand, you get to the end & feel the effect is kind of a let down. Maybe the method is interesting, but you feel the effect just wasn't worth going through. This is a danger with any magic book, but especially so with this one because many of the effects rely on mathematical procedures, & if you lose your spot while reading & following along, it doesn't work.

Bottom Line: Reading a book like this is kind of like taking a vacation inside the mind of a creative magical genius who you will never have the chance so sit down & have a conversation with. It's worth every cent of the asking price, and it's worth every minute of your time you spend reading it. It will take your magic & your thinking into world's you never could have visited any other way. Highest Recommendation.
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