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Parallax by Max Maven
"You have found magic. Now, what are you going to do with it it?" So muses Max Maven in the pages of Parallax, a collection of 61 influential, thought-provoking, and oftentimes controversial essays he contributed to MAGIC magazine from September 1991 to August 1996. Rich with commentary, observations, and caustic editorializing—all composed in in a tone both rich and distinct—these essays have finally been collected in a single volume. Praise for Parallax calls this book Max Maven's "finest creation" (Mac King), "unprecedented" (Jamy Ian Swiss), "a manifesto on magic as an art form" (Stephen Minch), "ahead of its time" (John Lovick), "smart and funny" (Stan Allen), "essential reading" (Jeff McBride), and "one of the most important books of our time" (Todd Robbins).
194 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 6, 2025
My first impressions of this book were a blend of admiration and slight disappointment. It was undeniably the most well-written collection of magic essays I'd come across, a refreshing change from the often simplistic style of its peers. However, the depth of the articles varied significantly; some were profoundly thought-provoking, while others seemed like lighter, almost tangential, commentaries. I felt Max's potential wasn't fully realized.
Having finished the book, though, my perspective has shifted. It's easy to wish for a more comprehensive work, but ultimately, this collection is exceptional. It's the finest magic essay book I've read, and I'm now simply grateful for its existence.
Having finished the book, though, my perspective has shifted. It's easy to wish for a more comprehensive work, but ultimately, this collection is exceptional. It's the finest magic essay book I've read, and I'm now simply grateful for its existence.
May 17, 2024
This book is as good as the tv show Six Feet Under.
It entertains, amuses, constantly gives you something to think about and, at the very end, everything quickly gets tied together nicely in a way that makes you want to cry of sadness that it is over, and of happiness that it helped you grow so much. You will also want to read this ending a few times.
You will become a better performer for having read this book, but you may have to read it thoroughly until the very last page; and, just like Stephen Minch states in the foreword, you may want to read it in short segments, so that it settles on you little by little and never gets wasted in the rush of gulping.
Thank you, Max!
[update] I have found that, even though the ad copy states it contains 61 essays, there are only 59 essays in the book; the essays from December 1993 (Nay of the Beholder) and May 1994 (He Who Rags Last) are not included.
It entertains, amuses, constantly gives you something to think about and, at the very end, everything quickly gets tied together nicely in a way that makes you want to cry of sadness that it is over, and of happiness that it helped you grow so much. You will also want to read this ending a few times.
You will become a better performer for having read this book, but you may have to read it thoroughly until the very last page; and, just like Stephen Minch states in the foreword, you may want to read it in short segments, so that it settles on you little by little and never gets wasted in the rush of gulping.
Thank you, Max!
[update] I have found that, even though the ad copy states it contains 61 essays, there are only 59 essays in the book; the essays from December 1993 (Nay of the Beholder) and May 1994 (He Who Rags Last) are not included.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews