Sorcerer's Apprentice

by Tahir Shah

Release Date: 18 June, 2001

Edition: Hardcover

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Excellent!

Sorcere's Apprentice, Tahir Shah - Excellent, excellent book! From an unbelievable start to an equally astounding
finish. Tahir sets out to expose the mendicants, magicians, godmen (for they are almost always men), and tricksters of
India. What a better way to do it than to become one! But that requires a rigorus tutelage under the Master, requring
Tahir to perfom tasks least related to magic: eat pebbles, ingest soap, dig a deep trench armed only with a teaspoon,
etc. The book can be divided in three broad parts: the early years which detail why Tahir became interested in this
arcane area, the second part discusses tutelage under an exacting Master, and the final part consumes itself with a
journey across India putting the latest learned skill to test. Here is the explanation of the famous Indian disappearing
rope trick, or making vibhuti (ash) out of thin air, walking on fire, dangerous surgeries where the godmen pluck out
livers and intestines of the patient only to have the patient recover and walk away! Of the three parts, paradoxically, the
last one is the least interesting. Maybe the author could not sustain the levity, humor, quick wit, and sarcastic writing
that is evident in the first two parts. In any case, this was an excellent read. (September 2001).

BILL BRYSON MEETS BRUCE CHATWIN

Wonderfully engaging and affectionate look at Indian 'magic' Although this is not a novel it reads with the fluidity of good fiction and, if you didn't know otherwise, you would assume that is what this book is. In fact it is the story of a young man's journey through the world of Indian streetcorner trickery and 'miracles'. As a young boy the author was visited in England by an Indian historically linked to his family. Having been introduced by this man to the world of illusion, and its borders with magic and religion, a spark is set off in Shah's imagination. As a young man he sets off to find his teacher and in the process learns of the mythical conjuror Hakim Feroze who he must track down in order to learn the nature of miracles. This wonderful book takes us on a memorable journey through modern India with all its superstitions, scams and sorcery. The narrative is packed with oddball characters reminiscent of John Irving's finest and Shah keeps the pace fast with a fine eye for the comical and absurd. If there has been a better book published this year I would love to know what it is.