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A review by ponch22
Amoralman: A True Story and Other Lies by Derek Delgaudio
5.0
A few months ago, I saw [a:Derek Delgaudio|15178698|Derek Delgaudio|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] post something about his upcoming book, and I quickly jumped onto my library's website to request they add it to their collection. Oddly, I never got any response (nor an auto-hold when it was released), and so it took me several months to realize it had come out and was on my library's shelves!
I loved this book so much, I may just end up buying my own copy... It's also made me desperate to rewatch Delgaudio's Hulu special In & Of Itself which references a few of the stories he fleshes out in this memoir. I&OI is less a magic show than it is a beautiful piece of storytelling and [b:Amoralman|53168892|Amoralman A True Story and Other Lies|Derek Delgaudio|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1604364678l/53168892._SX50_.jpg|80016005] continues that wonderful narrative arc.
It begins with Plato's Allegory of the Cave (which I apparently have never read the full version of, never knowing one prisoner leaves the cave and returns) and often returns to the allegory throughout Delgaudio's life. It tells of his childhood and the struggles of (both his and his friends) finding out his divorced mother was gay & how he eventually found solace in a local magic shop. It continues into his education (both dropping out of high school and learning sleight of hand) & temporary life of cheating at cards.
The subtitle of the novel is "A True Story and Other Lies" but just like when he couldn't lie to his mother about stealing $5 for more than five minutes, the book ends with his admitting to (at least one) of the lies he told earlier. But what is true and false doesn't matter—the journey Delgaudio takes the reader on is a fascinating one with ups and downs, deep philosophy and (mildly) thrilling suspense.
I loved this book so much, I may just end up buying my own copy... It's also made me desperate to rewatch Delgaudio's Hulu special In & Of Itself which references a few of the stories he fleshes out in this memoir. I&OI is less a magic show than it is a beautiful piece of storytelling and [b:Amoralman|53168892|Amoralman A True Story and Other Lies|Derek Delgaudio|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1604364678l/53168892._SX50_.jpg|80016005] continues that wonderful narrative arc.
It begins with Plato's Allegory of the Cave (which I apparently have never read the full version of, never knowing one prisoner leaves the cave and returns) and often returns to the allegory throughout Delgaudio's life. It tells of his childhood and the struggles of (both his and his friends) finding out his divorced mother was gay & how he eventually found solace in a local magic shop. It continues into his education (both dropping out of high school and learning sleight of hand) & temporary life of cheating at cards.
The subtitle of the novel is "A True Story and Other Lies" but just like when he couldn't lie to his mother about stealing $5 for more than five minutes, the book ends with his admitting to (at least one) of the lies he told earlier. But what is true and false doesn't matter—the journey Delgaudio takes the reader on is a fascinating one with ups and downs, deep philosophy and (mildly) thrilling suspense.