Karsa Orlong

Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold 2001 - Sceptre paperback - 562 pages Charles Carter, dubbed Carter the Great by Houdini himself, was born into privilege but became a magician out of need: only when dazzling an audience can he defeat his fear of loneliness. But in 1920s America the stakes are growing higher, as technology and the cinema challenge the allure of magic and Carter's stunts become increasingly audacious. Until the night President Harding takes part in Carter's act only to die two hours later, and Carter finds himself pursued not only by the Secret Service but by a host of others desperate for the terrible secret they believe Harding confided in him. Seamlessly blending reality and fiction, Gold lays before us a glittering and romantic panorama of our modern world at a point of irrevocable change. I liked: The way the story begins, with Carter on the run suspected of murder when President Harding dies just hours after attending one of Carter's shows. It's a great opening. The plot: it's a tangled web of half-truths and misdirection, constantly pulling the rug out from beneath you. There's as much illusion here as in one of Carter's magic shows. The pacing. There was never a point where I grew tired of it. Gold's writing style: it's simple but incredibly effective, not showy or too clever for its own good. I wasn't diving for a dictionary or thesaurus at any point. I didn't realise until after starting the book that Charles Carter was a real-life magician, although this is a completely fictionalised account of his life. It's just so brilliantly done, with lots of other real people - from presidents to inventors to Houdini himself - weaving in and out of the story without even the slightest hiccup. Gold's characterisation is quite subtle, done with a light touch. I felt that I got to know these people without really being aware of it, through small mannerisms and rituals that they go through, and through the wonderful dialogue, which really crackles at times (especially between Carter and a particular woman - who I won't name so as not to spoil - which gives her the feel of a truly memorable femme fatale). The ending. It's just about perfect. I disliked: The cover - it does the book no favours whatsoever. This book was never quite what I expected it to be. I lost myself completely within its world of vaudeville in the early 20th century, and was thrilled by Gold's ability to surprise and confound. It never got bogged down, never lost its impetus, and left me wanting more. In the end it is, I think, a tale about redemption, and Gold carries it off beautifully. It's quite astonishing for a debut novel, I think. I've been curious about it for some time (thanks to Kay!) and had nearly bought it on a couple of occasions. Thankfully I didn't, as it's turned out to be a brilliant birthday present. Thanks Sari, I loved it. In fact, I thought it was magic Memorable Quotes? Loads, but I didn't want to stop reading and put the book down to make a note of them ETA: And can I just add that Wil Wheaton also loved it

Continuum 3x04 Agent Carter 1x05 - cracking!

The Flash 1x12 - this is on its way to being the best superhero tv series yet, I think. Just great fun Arrow 3x12 - this is still really enjoyable, but it's kind of wallowing in The Flash's shadow at the moment.

Just finished Carter Beats the Devil - haven't decided what to read next, although I think I have it narrowed down to a choice between two

It wasn't a series high point, for sure, but it did amuse me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0frQTSK4fA The shorts!!!

I love the Chili Peppers cover version, too

Yes, I am aware of that.

Rats, I was going to post that one then thought nah, nobody ever liked Level 42 apart from me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X00XdLhFLSg

The Flash 1x11 Arrow 3x11 Supernatural 9x05 - 'Dog Dean Afternoon'. Oh that was funny A dog is the only witness to a murder so Dean uses a spell to be able to talk to the dog . . . leading to . . .

<<Makes note of The Winter Queen>>

Bloody hell, I didn't realise Hogwarts had chavs Did you get a baseball cap to wear backwards, too? Sorry, couldn't resist . . .

Ah, proper Genesis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkv_2fQ-OLU

I never realised Kate appeared on that Great song, slightly worrying lyrics - 'Jane plays with Willy, Willy is happy again' . . . Oh really?? And you found one of the few Genesis songs without Gabriel that I like Was listening to this just now . . . . . . and marvelling at how young Stuart Adamson looked, then realised it's already 13 years since he died

Nah. I was tempted a year or two back but went with the Merrimack and Vorkosigan books instead. I've heard reasonable things about it, though, so I might give it a go when I've finished some of the multiple other series I already have on the go. No it wouldn't, it'd sit on your Kindle saying "I only cost 99p, don't worry 'bout it"

Terpsichorean formalhumorous adjective relating to dancing. "‘the twist’ was a revolutionary terpsichorean innovation" noun a dancer.

The old 4/5 again, eh? Sounds better than that Django Wexler rubbish, but any mention of that one fills me with dread and makes my skin go cold Aren't you tempted to try some Napoleonic historical fiction? Cos that's what 'flintlock fantasy' seems to be trying to emulate

That works too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXQYyKzyDaE

Stop it!!! I was just going to post that!

Okay, now you're putting thoughts in my head, Kay I listened to 'It's Different for Girls' before I left the office, then I listened to 'Regatta de Blanc' on the way home

Nooooooo, music was better then, it's a fact Besides, I'm not hurtling, just sliding downhill a bit faster than I'd like And also besides, I've had a whole day of data entry - I had to have something to take my mind off it And now I appear to be listening to Nick Lowe