I didn't get the book yet, but I have to agree that when in NYC, you have to get yourself some Gray's Papaya hot dogs. Get Gray's Papaya, not Papaya Dog or Papaya Gray - Gray's Papaya.

I erroneously posted this elsewhere, and at Paul Shirley's suggestion, I am reposting it here:

Finally had an opportunity to really dive into the "Carnival" book. Am up to page 53. Two of Neal's effects, "Three Objects Over the Phone" and "Pendulum Svengali," are dynamite. I don't know where this guy gets his ideas, but I'm glad that he's willing to share his real work with us. Don't know if it's true, but I've been given to believe that each copy has been cleverly encrypted in such a way as to deter any attempts at pirating.

I bought my copy from Steven's Magic Emporium... Anyone know if it's been released from there yet?

Ordered from Richard/The Deceptionary. Shipped via Lulu.

So far, great read.

-AH

I was honoured to again be asked to typeset this amazing book so was able to read it way before it went to press. I have to tell you the Haunted Pen is one of the top releases from Neal. It is something I've been doing since I read it and really is very strong!!! I think the Lennon Seance could have been a book by itself.

Discovering Richard's work has been one of the greatest finds I've had in ages. This material is no different at all.

I'm glad I popped into Tannen's today! I've been terribly busy, out of the loop, and under the impression this wasn't around til September. Today was a save, and a beauty.

The coin bend makes me very happy I held off on dropping the cash on a Quantum, and the Lennon seance.....wow!!!

Beautiful material, beautifully bound! (now if only he would re-release the Little Black Book in this format, lol! Dare to dream).

WOW Great reviews guy! I can't wait to receive mine!!!!!!

Received my copy yesterday...

As always, with Neal's material.... the presentations come first. Method second.

This is a book full of classic methods... with some beautiful presentations. As with all other Scryer material... it will take a few reads to pick up on some of the fantastic subtleties that I KNOW I have already missed with a few of the pieces.

Old school mentalism at its finest folks.

.... and some wonderful contributions from a few friends thrown in for good measure.

9/10 (I knocked 1 point off because the book is dedicated to Finley...... and not me!)

Got mine today - only read the first 25 pages or so...love the paper ball thing, and the reading system on page 21 is excellent...not mentioning it by name cos it says to keep it low on the radar...

looking forward to reading more tomorrow night...

Mine finally arrived, Reading it now...its good solid working man stuff form what I have already read and its getting even better.

There are so many subtleties in the performances that really just take the work to a new level!

Which might those be Atlas if you don't mind sharing.

Atlas will include them in the comprehensive report he is preparing.

I've had to lay the book aside for a while, but resumed reading it last night. Really some wonderful material in it. I especially like Neal's "Paper Balls" routine (which I expect to perform tomorrow evening); there's also an excellent twist on using the Psycards deck by Mark Garetz, entitled "A Reader's Story," which I found very useful. This is a book to be savored slowly.

I performed Paper Balls last night for a bride at the end of her reception when they were cleaning up the hall. She was blown away, especially since it was a chance meeting.

All the material is so beautiful that you can have a full repertoire only with this book!

Would you say that the mentalism content is higher end than in Scryer and Friends or much the same? How about the readings?

Both works are great! It really depends on what your in to. I found the new book just as interesting as the first three. There is some great stuff in each of Neal's works. I'm just wondering what next from his brilliant mind.

Yes, absolutely!

I'll have to take a more serious look at it. I did enjoy Scryer and Friends. Problem is there is so much in that one, I still continually refer to it and don't feel the need of another volume yet but eventually I will no doubt.