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wynwicket's review
5.0
A fictionalized account of the career of Charles Carter, magician in the early 1900s. Filled with historical goodies (Houdini! The invention of the television! The first BMW in the US! Flappers! etc, etc.) with compelling characters and some real insight into the history of magicians. Extremely well-written.
onbewimpeld's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
marlo42's review
3.0
This novel's best quality is the complete and vibrant world that it inhabits. Throughout, the writing is consistent - I really feel like I'm in the 1920s watching some quality illusions. The characters each serve their purpose well, making the experience enjoyable. However, Carter Beats the Devil suffers from a lack of direction at times. Things from 250 pages ago will be relevant suddenly, often without reason. A little more focus could've helped the book tremendously. That being said, it was a quick, enjoyable and easy read. Not bad at all.
mariekeroos's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
megnland's review against another edition
4.0
I underestimated this book. With confidence, I thought, I would blow through this silly little thing about magic and adventure, and not be much affected or arrested by anything contained in it. And yet, despite my best efforts to not truly engage, Carter Beats the Devil asserted its skill, fun, and depth of thought upon me. The full complexity of living: of grief, joy, love, work, and true magic were unequivocally captured and interrogated. So, of course, I melted into this book like butter. Crying by the end and several times before, I’d say Carter Beats the Devil eked a respectable amount of joy and respect from me. I might even say I loved it, too.
smaravetz's review
4.0
This book is great. If you like historical fiction, vaudeville-era magicians or murder mysteries, read this. That is all.
alperezq's review
3.0
Entertaining but a bit uneven (too many subplots), and the final confrontation is a bit over the top.
hardscifi's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite reads
I read this book often (at least once a year). So filled with detail, imagination, joy and sheer magic it never fails to entertain. I wish there were another like it.
It's on my top 20 books shelf.
I read this book often (at least once a year). So filled with detail, imagination, joy and sheer magic it never fails to entertain. I wish there were another like it.
It's on my top 20 books shelf.
bps's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Torture
acton's review
5.0
Carter Beats the Devil, by Glen David Gold, is both mystery and historical fiction. Many characters in the novel--Charles Carter, President Harding, Philo Farnsworth, Harry Houdini, Max Friz, and (Francis) Borax Smith--were real people. The author makes The Golden Age of Magic come alive for the reader in this engrossing novel.
The events that take place are completely fictional, by the way, but I adore the way Gold imaged Carter's childhood to be one of material privilege and emotional neglect, where a bright, creative child would imagine his own world and obsessions. As a creation myth for a famous magician, it works very well. I also enjoyed his relationship with his younger brother, James, and the depiction of his mismatched parents--his cold father, the warmer but unpredictable mother. In the novel, his mother begs him not to saw women in half, a trick she views as misogynist. If you think this sentiment is out of place in 1920, you're right! But it was a nice touch, an amusing way of fleshing out his mother's character.
There are so many wonderful nuggets and cliff hangers in this book, so many intriguing characters, both real and imagined...I recommend it. I've long found the Carter posters to be intriguing, some of my favorite magic posters, but I'm not judging this book by its cover! It's not informative about the real Charles Carter, but the time period is well researched and it's a great story. Actually, I can say that I did learn something, too: Philo Farnsworth invented television.
Bravo!
The events that take place are completely fictional, by the way, but I adore the way Gold imaged Carter's childhood to be one of material privilege and emotional neglect, where a bright, creative child would imagine his own world and obsessions. As a creation myth for a famous magician, it works very well. I also enjoyed his relationship with his younger brother, James, and the depiction of his mismatched parents--his cold father, the warmer but unpredictable mother. In the novel, his mother begs him not to saw women in half, a trick she views as misogynist. If you think this sentiment is out of place in 1920, you're right! But it was a nice touch, an amusing way of fleshing out his mother's character.
There are so many wonderful nuggets and cliff hangers in this book, so many intriguing characters, both real and imagined...I recommend it. I've long found the Carter posters to be intriguing, some of my favorite magic posters, but I'm not judging this book by its cover! It's not informative about the real Charles Carter, but the time period is well researched and it's a great story. Actually, I can say that I did learn something, too: Philo Farnsworth invented television.
Bravo!