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Random
Acts of Magic
Review by Michael Close
Magic Magazine, February, 2005
As
in Prism, the tricks in David Acer’s big new hardcover
book, Random Acts of Magic also share a unifying philosophical
approach. I’ll let David tell you what it is: “The
common thread among all 60-plus items contained herein is
a commitment to the simple, and although I have known for
many years that this is the path to magical enlightenment,
I have only recently discovered that one can also imbue
simplicity with depth. In fact, that which is truly simple
(of the insidious, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’
variety) usually embodies much wider implications, like
a nice, compact doorway to a much greater world.”
Magical enlightenment? Compact doorway to another world?
Sounds like a funny, tall Canadian we know has been spending
too much time sampling the free brownies in the comedy club
green room.
All
seriousness aside, I will be the first to admit that Mr.
Acer has a genuine knack for creating commercial tricks
with simple and to-the-point methods, The presentations
showcase David’s sly sense of humor. And he’s
a prolific son-of-a-gun. Random Acts of Magic is a hefty
tome, filled to the brim with the type of close-up magic
that will bring tears of joy to Acer fans around the world.
Random
Acts contains three large chapters. The first, titled Extrovert
at the Card Table, features card tricks, card tricks, and
more card tricks. My favorite effect is Open Time Traveler,
for which I have already devised a method that allows the
spectator to have a completely free choice of a card. Twice
Removed is a sentimental favorite, for reasons you will
discover when you read the book. With such a wide variety
of plots offered, it is likely that you’ll find several
tricks to add to your repertoire.
Chapter
Two, titled Magic By Mister Direction, contains miscellaneous
close-up magic. You’ll find tricks with rings, Coke
bottles, matchbooks, bills, coins, matches, Trivial Pursuit
cards, eyeglasses and pop-up ties. Lots of fun stuff here.
Chapter
Three contains twelve of David’s “Confessions
of a Road Warrior” columns from Genii. These contain
essays on topics that range from bombing (in the comedic
rather than the terrorist sense) to how to write a good
bio. One column features the Top Ten Book Lists from a variety
of well-known magicians. Studying these lists is an excellent
way to discover shortcomings in your library.
I
forgot to mention (but I will now) that some very fine magicians
contributed to Random Acts, including Max Maven, Jay Sankey,
Richard Sanders, Simon Lovell, Torkova and Michel Huot.
As with David’s other books, this one is funny and
fun to read. On several occasions I almost laughed out loud,
but fortunately caught myself in time.
Random
Acts of Magic is a really fine collection of commercial
close-up magic. Both the hobbyist and the performer will
find much of value here.
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