Wartime evacuation and the last years of end-of-the-pier shows are the context for the story of a magician, his glamorous assistant and the show's 'star', told from varying perspectives and present day retrospect. Lucid and economical, if a little detached at times - I didn't get deeply involved in the characters - but Swift brings out the flavour of the times and by implication makes some interesting comments on Britain and perhaps on the analogies between 'illusions' and fiction. A short but good read.
(Tony Pratt - bwl 96 Spring 2020 ) |
