There is an unfortunate vogue demanding that novels of Victorian atmosphere be written in a half-assed pseudo-Victorian invented English. Usually, they miserably fail to convey anything else than the writer's shortcomings in this respect.
Well, this novel is an example of this empirical rule. I don't even know if the plot and characters would have been better than the style; so ludicrous was the writing, that I gave in after few pages and I will probably never find out. ( )

Read this a few years ago. It's not an exciting read - it takes a slow and steady pace, but the intrigue of the illusionist's life is mysterious enough to keep you turning the page. Still, I don't think it would stand out to me if not for the final chapter, which remains the only time I've ever been scared (like, don't want to turn the lights out and go to sleep scared) while reading. ( )

This is a tale of dueling magicians (Ruper Angier, "The Great Danton" vs. Alfred Borden, "Le Professeur de la Magic) mostly set during the Victorian era, but bookended by an opening and a closing section during which descendants of the two magicians meet. This is not my usual fare, and I have no particular interest in magic, magicians or fantasy, so I don't even know why I checked it out of the library, probably a random complimentary reference on LT. But I have to say, that I really enjoyed this book. Beyond have a good and engaging plot, the book has lot of background information on magic and magicians, which was interesting to learn. Here's a couple:

An illusion has three stages: 1. The setup; 2. The performance, where the magician's lifetime of practice and his skill as a performer join to create the magical display; and 3. The effect, or "the prestige," which is the product of the magic, i.e. the rabbit is the prestige when it is pulled out of the seemingly empty hat.

and,

There are only 6 categories of illusions: 1. Production--producing something out of nothing; 2. Disappearance--the vanishing of something into nothing; 3. Transformation--changing one thing into another; 4. Transposition--changing of place of 2 or more things; 5. Defiance of natural laws (i.e. gravity); and 6. Secret motive power--causing objects to move.

So if this sounds like your thing, recommended.

3 stars ( )

El Prestigio es la historia de una rivalidad que va más allá de los límites físicos y temporales. Alfred Borden y Ruper Angier son dos ilusionistas del Londres de finales del siglo XIX en busca de la fama mundial, enfrentados por un secreto que tiene que ver con la teleportación y que les llevará a un profunda rivalidad.
Ambos ambicionan un futuro brillante que pasa por ser, sencillamente, el mejor. La suya será una guerra silenciosa pero persistente que los invadirá por completo. Todos sus proyectos profesionales, su vida personal, sus ambiciones, sus sentimientos y sus pasiones se verán dirigidos hacia la única idea que gobierna su destino y que trascenderá a su propia existencia: lograr el truco perfecto.

Ya. I’m gonna say it. The movie was better. But this was still delightfully eerie. The diary of Rupert slogged a little here and there but overall I enjoyed the original story that inspired a beloved film.

Also… “prestige materials”. [hardcore stare] ( )