|
|
| Plot Summary of The Book of Illusions |
"David Zimmer, Vermont Professor, has had a nervous breakdown following the deaths of his wife and two young boys in a plane crash. One day whilst deeply depressed he discovers the work of silent comedian Hector Mann. The film gives Zimmer new direction and he decides to try and view all of Mann's films and then write a book about him. He discovers that Mann had mysteriously disappeared whilst at his peak in the silent movie business. After Zimmer's book about Mann is published he one day receives a letter from someone claiming to be Mann's wife and inviting him to visit the now old and ill Mann.
Zimmer is dismissive until Alma, a friend of the Mann family, surprises him with a gun outside his house and demands that he accompany her to the dying Mann's ranch in New Mexico. Alma reveals that Mann has secretly made a dozen movies on the ranch which have never been seen by a public audience and that these are to be destroyed within 24 hours of Mann's imminent death. A twist in the tale has Zimmer and Alma falling in love and they arrive just before Mann dies. Alas Zimmer only has time to see one of the secret movies before they are destroyed by Mann's widow. Alma tells Zimmer Mann's life history as she is writing a biography of Mann. It is an interesting life and we learn the reasons for his disappearance."
John Marcel, Resident Scholar
|
|
| Review Analysis of The Book of Illusions |
|
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
|
|
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- thoughtful
Time/era of story
- 1980's-1999
Life of a profession:
- actor
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Job/Profession/Status story
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- teacher
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- writer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 5 ()
United States
Yes
The US:
- West
- Northeast
Farm/Ranch?
Yes
Farm/Ranch:
- ranch
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- descript of kissing
- touching of anatomy
- licking
Amount of dialog
- significantly more descript than dialog
|
|
|
Click here for more information about this book
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Feedback
Most recent discussions:
General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
George W. Bush
2:32:02 AM
Anonymous
2:03:39 AM
Erin Hunters
9:00:01 PM
Betty Mahmoody
6:00:22 PM
Judith McNaught
11:55:44 AM
Iris Johansen
9:03:43 PM
Norah Lofts
1:11:37 PM
Jane Rubino
9:32:45 AM
Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twersky
11:28:51 PM
Faye Kellerman
12:37:41 AM
LaVyrle Spencer
7:25:23 PM
Robert James Waller
8:30:15 PM
Suzanne Weyn
12:50:03 AM
Deric Longden
2:54:11 PM
Wilma Counts
1:23:32 PM
Kin Platt
12:58:29 AM
Lilian Jackson Braun
10:05:52 PM
G.A. McKevett
10:03:31 PM
David Williams
10:03:01 PM
Steven Pressfield
10:02:30 PM
More message boards
|