A day later than promised, but here it is.

2010 seems to have been a banner year for book tests. Not only have several fine new book tests been released, many of which I have reviewed or commented upon in this and other forums, but IMO several of them have incorporated significant advances/innovations in book methodology. The latest of these is Looch’s AREA book test. Its salient features include the following:

Its handy “pocket book” size (4 1/8 “ x 4” or 10.5 x 15 cm) is small enough to be useful for “walk-around” situations but not too small for use in cabaret/platform or stage settings.

Its attractive cover design, plus the fact that it features 2 short stories (I’d call them mini-novels as at 83 and 65 pages respectively they are longer than many short stories, but much shorter than most novels) which can be read from start to finish without any obvious “disconnects” enables it to pass as a “real” book. (I will make no comment regarding their literary value of the stories, but they are complete stories.) There has been some comment in these forums that the layout deviates from the “standard” for fiction in the UK, but I don’t believe one need fear that it will arouse suspicion in a performance situation, so consider that a non-issue.

Important factors are: the performer never needs to handle the book, the participating spectator opens the book at random to ANY page (no force) and has a free choice of (almost) any word on the page and closes the book, nothing is written down, yet the performer is able to divine/reveal the chosen word. Some memorization is required to achieve maximum effectiveness; however, a handy innocent looking crib is provided for use during the “learning curve.” Plus, as Looch has just announced, a “bonus” effect has been incorporated and will be revealed privately to purchasers.

While the methodology includes a classic principle (the long word) Looch has taken the concept one giant step forward by incorporating a concept that I have not seen in any of the hundreds of other book tests that I’ve examined (some of which date from the 1920s). Even though “Inner Thoughts” is a somewhat restricted forum, due to the limited release of the test it would be improper to offer go into further detail here. Suffice it to say that, insofar as I am aware, the concept represents new and original thinking. Its beauty is that it allows the performer to divine/reveal the chosen word with no fishing or pumping -- but simply by making a series of (increasing significant) statements about the word and asking, at most, only one question requiring the participant’s response. Obviously, it is intended for experienced performers with adequate “audience management” skills; however, the fact that Looch is selling it only to selected performers takes care of that issue.

The limited release of only 200 numbered copies, sale only to selected/approved performers and relatively high cost should combine to increase its value to its owners. I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the review.

Thanks Dick, appreciate the review!

Good news for those of us waiting on the postman.

Thanks for the review Dick.

Thanks for your honest and indepth review Dick...

To read it knowing that you are the foremost expert on all things Book Tests, I am very proud and humbled

:)

Thanks, Dick.

Now where is the postman??

Benny

Let me know when yours arrives Ben

Dick, the sizes you give (4 1/8 “ x 4” or 10.5 x 15 cm) do not match up. Could I trouble you to give the size in inches.

Its approx 5.8 x 4.1 inches Quentin

Correction, I meant to say 4 1/8" x 6" (approximate) NOT 4 1/8" x 4" -- my typo.

Thanks guys for the clarification.

The mind boggles ! but ...

In a word, the AREA Book test is "brilliant". There's so much to love about it. It wasn't made, it was woven out of threads of intrigue, each building layer upon layer. Fantastic littlebook and great thinking. 10/10

Piers.

I only know of one other compact book test where the performer reveals a thought of word that is suitable for strolling. Looking forward to this one.

Decomped

Its almost 3 am and I just thought of something for the owners of AREA. I have performed BCS Card Calling for years (Richard Osterland). I don't usually carry playing cards with me anymore but if you own both BCS and AREA here is just a thought.

The way you have the spectator look at the individual cards in BCS is one way Im thinking of having the spec look at the chosen letters/word in AREA. Stopping the spectator when they get to your letters (you already know because you are the mindreader) I think will be an excellent reveal.

Midnight Hour and then some
Decomp

:coffee:

Am I the only one who finds it troublesome that the moderators have moved a thread out of the private area and into the public area? Guess we can't trust that posts put in private are private.

Good job building trust mods.

Out of my hands unfortunately, I don't mind the review going in the appropriate section but the general discussion of it needed to stay in the mentalism section IMO. Ive spoke to moderators and explained its not a commerciall avaliable or marketed effect but even private releases get the same treatment, its all good though, at least we have somewhere to discuss it

Oh well...Ill just come here and the tricks and effects section: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......=109&183

bdekolta,

I wonder as well. Unfortunately, it is not the first time that a moderator (or moderators) has/have taken actions that might cause one to question their understanding of an issue. I will now think twice about how much information it will be appropriate to include in my reviews. That may make my job easier as far less detail need be provided as I need only say "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" with no amplification -- it may also diminish the value of the review to the readers and be a disservice to both the creator of the effect and potential customers. Too bad.

Yes, and here it doesn't belong to at all! Jan

I'm clearing out stock and offering AREAs at 50% off (£65) gets you one posted worldwide

Pm me if you want one as the offer will end next week!

Cheers guys