Hosted by Katie at Doing Dewey, Lory at Emerald City Book Review,
Sarah at Sarah’s Book Shelves, Rachel at Hibernator’s Library, and Julz at Julz Reads
It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to get the real history by reading a nonfiction version of the story.
A fictional wizard war and the biography of a magician who performs completely as someone else. Even if you’ve only seen the movie The Prestige and not read Christopher Priest’s novel, Jim Steinmeyer’s The Glorious Deception is a great companion piece.
Years before Erik Larson became a favorite of mine with his tale of H. H. Holmes as The Devil in the White City, Robert Bloch used the setting and the serial killer as inspiration for G. Gordan Gregg in American Gothic. When I read the novel I thought the “murder castle” was an out-there idea. Little did I know…
Simple Tricks & Nonsense 
Thanks for mentioning The Prestige. I had vaguely heard of the movie but your post made me curious about the book. After looking it up on Goodreads, I see a friend whose tastes run similar to mine gave it five stars. The description reminds me of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, which I loved. Result: I just purchased it online and look forward to reading it soon!
Good deal! The book is quite a bit different, but still good. 🙂
I finished The Prestige this morning and it was fantastic! Thanks again for the recommendation! Is the movie good?
Glad you liked it! The movie is quite different, but still pretty good.
Oooh – you got my attention with a Devil in the White City pairing! I had no idea American Gothic was based on the same story…adding it to my TBR!
I loved Devil in the White City (and haven’t found another Larsen book quite so good) Thanks for the title of a related fiction book.
I go back and forth between Devil and Thunderstruck being my favorites of Larson.
Ooh, The Glorious Deception looks fascinating! Stories of frauds and disguises are always awesome!
Loved The Devil in the White City… now I must check out American Gothic!
I’m so glad you posted about The Prestige! It’s one of those books I’ve always meant to read but never got around to. Thanks for the reminder.
I think it’s do for a reread on my end. 🙂
Wow! Usually I read the fiction first and then move to nonfiction, but I’d never heard of American Gothic and I loved Devil. Adding this to my TBR right now!
I saw the movie The Prestige and have always wanted to read the book. I’ll keep The Glorious Deception in mind in case I ever do. 🙂