A Book of Secrets: Finding comfort in a complex world THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Name: A Book of Secrets: Finding comfort in a complex world THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
Rating: 3.25 (4 reviews)

Derren Brown

Sep 2021 · Random House

3.2

4 reviews

Ebook

304

Pages

Eligible

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About this ebook

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'Enlightening, thought-provoking and illuminating. Derren Brown asks questions about the world, and his intelligent curiosity benefits us all.'
ELIZABETH DAY

In A Book of Secrets, the star of 'Showman', and internationally bestselling author, Derren Brown shows us that it is in those moments when we are faced with adversity that we can find life's most lasting rewards.

In thirteen fascinating chapters, Derren takes us on a personal journey - to the scene of a childhood humiliation, to lonely evenings on tour, to being paralysed by shyness at a dinner party, to navigating middle age and to finding love.

Sharing moments of anger, frustration, loneliness and loss, Derren reveals how it's possible to find consolation and compassion. Even in our most challenging times we can find meaning and grow.

'Derren Brown is a mine of wisdom, humanity and kindness - everything we need to sustain and nourish ourselves.'
ALAIN DE BOTTON

***** 'This is the most I've seen Derren lay himself bare'
***** 'Funny, moving and always, always meaningful'
***** 'Derren's best book to date and the best book I have read this year'
***** 'Everything you need in this is a gem. I can't wait to read it a second time'

Ratings and reviews

3.2

4 reviews

Anthony Osborne

January 25, 2023

This was a book from which I find it hard to take anything useful away from. I have read many, many books on a wide range of topics and genres. The structuring of the sentences means either having to read most of them twice to garner their actual meaning, or skimming over them quickly to try and at least get the gist of what is being said without wasting too much of your life in the process. There are some passages which seem to be able to be read relatively smoothly, but these are in the minority. Overall, this book seems to be the product of Darren's desire to appear far more intellectual than he probably is by writing in such a way that a companion translation volume would have come in handy. It was a blessed relief to finish this strange and dense book, and I certainly can't recommend it.

About the author

Derren began his UK television career in December 2000 with a series of specials called Mind Control. Since redefining the genre of magic for intelligent, modern audiences, he has become synonymous with the art of psychological manipulation. His TV shows have become must-see events. Amongst a varied and notorious career, Derren has played Russian Roulette on live television, convinced middle-managers to commit an armed robbery in the street, led the nation in a séance, stuck viewers to their sofas, successfully predicted the National Lottery, motivated a shy man to land a packed passenger plane at 30,000 feet, exposed psychic and faith-healing charlatans, and hypnotised a man to assassinate Stephen Fry. On top of this he tours the UK every year with a sell-out stage show and has recently finished a run on Broadway, NYC.

He has published five books: Tricks of the Mind, Confessions of a Conjuror, Happy, A Little Happier and a book of his caricatures, Portraits.

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