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A review by dphilton
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
4.0
This book makes it official: I am addicted to books involving magic, especially those revolving around dueling magicians, sabotage and counter-sabotage. Allow me to enumerate a few of my faves: Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy, Susanna Clarke's Strange and Norrell, Christopher Priest's The Prestige, and all of the Potter books. I didn't seek this theme out; instead it seems to have found me. No matter. I recommend each of the preceeding whole-heartedly. Now, add Carter Beats the Devil to the list.
Nearly every book I've read is too long and needs editing. The same is true for movies. Carter is no exception, though the sense of epic scale is important as the many strands of the book come together for the final performance / climax. Otherwise, this is an excellent book. The characters are fun, the magic is clever and tinges each storyline with wonder, and the flow is satisfyingly unpredictable from moment to moment while ultimately delivering to readers the he-got-what-he-deserved punch the we deeply desire.
Much of the intrigue in this book is built upon a historical foundation. Carter really was a vaudeville magician; Harding really did die in office under questionable circumstances; and Philo Farnsworth did indeed contribute greatly to the invention of television. Author Glen David Gold brilliantly stirs fantasy and conjecture into the mix and the results are a potion of delights. Please do read this book.
Nearly every book I've read is too long and needs editing. The same is true for movies. Carter is no exception, though the sense of epic scale is important as the many strands of the book come together for the final performance / climax. Otherwise, this is an excellent book. The characters are fun, the magic is clever and tinges each storyline with wonder, and the flow is satisfyingly unpredictable from moment to moment while ultimately delivering to readers the he-got-what-he-deserved punch the we deeply desire.
Much of the intrigue in this book is built upon a historical foundation. Carter really was a vaudeville magician; Harding really did die in office under questionable circumstances; and Philo Farnsworth did indeed contribute greatly to the invention of television. Author Glen David Gold brilliantly stirs fantasy and conjecture into the mix and the results are a potion of delights. Please do read this book.