Reviews

The Prestige by Christopher Priest

olityr's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The plot is much more involved than the movie, but I'm not sure which is better. I quite like both. The ending was a little rushed and somewhat confusing.

emjmyhre's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I originally picked up this book because I remember loving the movie when I watched it about a decade ago and I ~thought~ I knew the main plot twist but alas I did not, only a very small, kind of obvious part. this book was wild with slow build ups that hinted at what would be revealed without diminishing the surprise. the two main perspectives were written in such different styles, and resulted in equally flawed and complex characters. the first main perspective had such interesting metaphoric speak for magic that welcomed me into a world I know nothing about. the ending was so dark and unsettling it read more like horror (which I appreciate!!)

bark's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

katykelly's review

4.0

I saw the film first, usually not the best way round. Very different to the book. I liked the events unfolding from both magicians' perspectives in their diaries. Effective, and even with revelations early on, still plenty of surprises and twists all the way to the end. May actually prefer the film (possibly Jackman/Bale's casting has something to do with this) but I liked the way the material was adapted, changed and the plot revealed. Very interesting idea - would love to see In a Flash! Makes you ponder identity and rivalry.

capella's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

mstapel's review

4.0

This book took me a while to complete because I was not wild about the journal entry format but the last forty pages were completely worth it! I love a book that can surprise me and this did! Good read and actually a decent movie adaptation as well!

jeeehan's review

4.0

I couldn't put it down. And the ending. Haha. thoroughly enjoyed it.

hakimbriki's review

4.0

I see a lot of reviewers I respect saying that the movie is better than the book. I respectfully disagree. The novel offers a much, much better characterization of the rival magicians and their descendants, and is a lot more complex and intricate, to start with. It is true that the movie is more "to the point", and I concede the author could have used a bit of that, but the text also presents us a deeper and richer mystery, with more moving parts, and more juice. The last section reads like the ending of a ghost story, which in this case is pure bliss. Nolan's film is still a breath-taking adaptation, though.

sabrinames's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

kgirl_kkk's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0