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Unwritten: A Hands-off Book Test that Transcends Words

JC Sum

(Based on 1 review)
This is the basic set of J C Sum's Unwritten: A Hands-off Book Test that Transcends Words that includes two books.

Unwritten is a professionally designed and produced book that allows you to bring the traditional book test beyond just words by incorporating visual drawings as the focus of the thoughts and revelations.

It is perfect for performers looking to present a visual book test routine.

The set consists of one 263-page 6" x 9" book and one 5.5" x 8.5" book in the form of an English language guide for travelers. This provides the perfect motivation for the book content, layout, and format.

From a presentation point of view, the English language guide for travelers also allows for a variety of interesting introductory patter presentations.

The nature of the book makes it perfect for shows for corporate events, travel fairs, tourist attractions, cruise ships, schools, and libraries.

The full Unwritten routine consists of two different basic effects.

Effect 1 - Any Word Drawing

A spectator opens the book to any page and chooses a word describing something that she can visualize in her mind.

Without asking for the page number or any specifics of the word (such as the length of the word or the letters it contains), the performer correctly draws the image that the spectator is visualizing.

Effect 2 - Imagined Drawing Prediction

A spectator opens the book to any page and mentally selects a word from the last line of a chosen paragraph.

She makes a simple drawing that represents the word and then uses her imagination to add to the sketch to make it into a larger picture.

A sealed envelope that has been in full view from the start of the show is opened to reveal a prediction drawing that correctly matches the spectator's imagined drawing!

Note: Instead of a prediction, you can perform the effect as a drawing duplication.

Both effects can be performed individually or together to form a complete routine. The routine can be performed in casual settings or close-up, parlour and large-scale stage shows.

Unwritten includes the following features: Can be performed completely hands free The book can be freely examined during the performance No pumping for page numbers, word length, or specific letters No peeks No switches No pre-show work No sleight of hand No memory work or cribs No assistants Large fonts make the text easy to read Can be performed stand-alone or with other book tests Your audience will be thoroughly mystified by your performance of Unwritten!

Reviews

Rob Jacks

Sep 02, 2023

This booktest is a bit unusual in that it comes with two books that can be used together or the spec can choose one of them, really a free choice.

The instructions are very clear and are actually written on the first 30 pages.

The books claim to be language aids for non-english speaking people traveling to an English speaking country. These basically look like dictionaries but are in non-alphabetical order. Absolutely useless as a help for tourists.

The ad copy says that the books are fully examinable. This is not quite true. They can be handed out for a quick glance through the pages. Quick being the key word.

There are two routines included, both involve drawing.

In the first routine the spec opens the book at any page. Really a free choice. They then are guided to pick a force item. This is a simple force as the spec is instructed to visualize touching or holding the chosen item. There are still a number of items on the page that meet that criterion. The choice feels free.

With minimal fishing and some body language observation, the magician is able to draw the item that was chosen.

The second effect is a drawn prediction of an item of a freely chosen page by a different method.

The quality of the books is great. The printing looks good, the covers look authentic.

The instructions are very well written.

I bought this at a great discount. I think $90 is a bit steep But all in all I like this book test as it is quite dfferent from others in that the audience is more involved because they are drawing an object. One star deducted because the books don't stand up to close scrutiny.
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