My biggest issue with the book was that it was very dry. It grabbed me and brought me into the story, whereas if I'd dived straight into Borden's diary I probably would have stopped reading after a page or two. The novel is framed by chapters from Andrew's P.O.V: living in the modern day he has been sent his great grandfather's diary and travels to meet Kate, who is trying to unravel the issue of their grandparents' feud. Although I'm glad they left the modern-day bit out of the film, it worked well in the book. The book is told from a number of different points of view - through Borden and Angier's diaries and also from the perspective of their great grandchildren: Kate Angier and Andrew Borden. Both men have more to hide than the mere workings of a trick.Despite some moderate differences, The Prestige sticks reasonably close to the plot of the original novel, the characters are very much the same and the themes and tone of the book are maintained well. The secret of the magic is not kept from the reader, because for the antagonists the real mystery lies deeper. The novel itself is constructed like a stage illusion: because of misdirection, nothing can be taken for granted - the straightforward narrative tells no lies, but revelations and unexpected twists occur at regular intervals. Both men are driven to the extremes by the mystery of an amazing stage illusion they both perform. Two stage illusionists engage in a bitter and deadly feud - the effects are still being felt by their families a hundred years later.
The film and the novel are broadly similar in outline but contain many differences, notably the ending, which many in the audience saw coming in the film, but never in the novel.Ī story of secrecy, curiosity and concealment, The Prestige is largely set in the smoke-and-mirrors world of Victorian music halls. It has been in print ever since its first release, and has been translated into 23 languages. It reached #1 US box office, and was nominated for two Academy Awards.Īs a book, The Prestige is one of Priest’s most acclaimed novels, being winner of both the World Fantasy Award and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction (and shortlisted for three other awards). It starred Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johannson. The Prestige was filmed in 2006 by Warner Bros, directed by Christopher Nolan. USA: Blackstone, 2006, unabridged, read by Simon Vance, 10 CDs, 12hrs30mins.Īwards: James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction, 1995 World Fantasy Award, 1996 and others. Īudio book publications: UK: Orion, 2008, abridged, read by David Timpson, Jonathan Keeble, Peter Kenny, Clare Wille, 6 CDs, 6hrs20mins. First published by Touchstone (Simon & Schuster, 1995 hardback and paperback). Published: UK edition: Gollancz Masterworks, 2011 - new Introduction by Graham Sleight.
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