The Prestige

Andrew Westley, a journalist with a taste for the extraordinary, has been sent to cover an unusual story in the north of England. Preoccupied by his domestic problems and by his uneasy relationship with his boss, he scarcely glances at the letter he has received in the morning post — the letter which holds the key to the secret past Andrew has never been able to open. . .and beyond.

In 1878, two young stage magicians clash in a darkened salon during the course of a fraudulent seance. From this moment on, their lives become webs of deceit and exposure, secrets and revelations, as they feud to outwit and destroy one another. Their rivalry takes them both to the peak of their careers, but with terrible consequences. It is not enough that blood will be spilt — their legacy is one that will pass on for generations.

For Andrew, events are about to present a terrifying challenge. Stranded in Derbyshire, with a woman who seems to know more about him than he does himself, he is forced to confront the truth as parallel stories collide in a final shocking resolution.

Christopher Priest has written a masterpiece of magic and illusion, of scientific exactitude coming up against the tricks and mysteries of nature. The Prestige is his most accomplished and compelling novel to date.