When Derren Brown and Neat Review first published this book, I admit I hesitated. I watched the special edition sell out immediately, then the hardcover, and finally the softcover. Part of me didn’t want to get sucked into the hype and another part didn’t want to pay the postage from the UK.
Most of the Neat Review publications are sold by US magic dealers like Tannen’s. Notes From A Fellow Traveller not so much. Unfortunately I missed out.
Recently Neat Review announced a second edition of the hardcover. I decided to make the purchase. It arrived this week after a circuitous journey from London.
I’ve read about 75 of the 519 pages and find it delightful. While I was under the impression that it was a diary of Derren’s 2021-2023 tour – which it is – it’s much more. As I mentioned to a friend, Derren has written a book of theatrical and performance theory grounded in real life struggle of entertaining audiences. I’d share a bit of what I’ve gleaned but the book is covered by one of the most inclusive copyrights I’ve ever read.
A full review will come in the future.
