Never Mind the Bollocks
"If you don't know Etienne or his work then take it for me when I say he's one of the most talented magicians I know. Aside from being technically superb I've seen him work for real people in the real world (as well as for the King of England) and he is always engaging. His magic is so strong. I can't wait to learn his new material. Bonnet de douche Etienne. Bonnet de douche!"
Nicholas Einhorn
"I very much look forward to the translation of this book by Etienne, as he has a very rare combination of art and commerce. He's not just charming, skillful and original, but his work schedule is also regularly booked!"
Gregory Wilson
"Never Mind The Bollocks contains material that won't just make your audience's jaws drop in amazement-it might blow their minds completely. The value of this work of magical literature, I believe, can only be surpassed by Bitcoin... though I'm not entirely sure. What I am sure of is that Napoleon would be very proud of Étienne Pradier."
Fenik
Your methods are right. Your moves are practiced. Your tricks are brilliant. So what’s the piece you're missing? If you perform and feel like the impact isn’t as strong as it could be, you aren’t alone. Lots of magicians have been there, including Etienne Pradier.
Before Etienne was one of the UK’s most in-demand corporate performers, he was working on one simple question: Why do some performances destroy audiences, and others don’t? What more should you be doing?
The answer? Nothing. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters.
Never Mind The Bollocks is primarily a book of strong, commercial card magic. Inside, you’ll find well-structured routines designed with clarity, rhythm, and strong reactions in mind. You'll learn an impromptu Card At Any Number that can be done with a borrowed deck, impossible transpositions, multi-phase constructions with strong climaxes, and routines capable of fooling even experienced magicians. Beyond the cards, you’ll learn Etienne’s coin matrix, his favorite rope routine, and other visual, fast-paced, performance-ready routines.
Beyond the methods, Pradier shares insights into structure, pacing, audience management, and performance attitude. The influence of the Sex Pistols is not aesthetic decoration. It reflects a philosophy: keep what works, remove what doesn't, and perform with personality.
If you've ever felt your magic was "good"... but not unforgettable, this book speaks directly to you. Etienne Pradier shares real-world, hard-earned experience from demanding stages, teaching you how to strip away the unnecessary, hit harder, and own the room.
Customer reviews for Never Mind the Bollocks
It often reads as if Etienne wanted to create a printed homage to his magical career rather than a practical working book. Some of the material looks workable, but having previously paid for Etienne's excellent online lecture several years ago, I was disappointed with this release.
What’s also missing is Etienne’s voice in many of the trick descriptions. Those small bits of commentary and thinking are often what make learning new material exciting and valuable for readers.
This is the first time in a long while that I’ve wished I could return a magic book. Instead, I’ll be revisiting Helge Thun’s wonderful—and fairly priced—Evidence of a Well Spent Life, which feels far more rewarding.
Masterclassmember
An Elmsley Count and an Ascanio count will see you through the next item.
How’s your diagonal palm shift? Your twirl change? Glad to hear it! You’re ready for the third item.
You’ll need a good cull along with a good amount of one-time advance prep work for the next. And this is a good one. Perhaps my favorite.
Next is a nice add-on for a book test combining the selection of a word and a card. You’ll need what amounts to a good one handed second deal to do this the way Etienne does.
And now Etienne teaches a clever utility move, allowing for the instant reversal of a selected card in the deck. I’m working on this one. It’s a goodie.
Onto card and coin matrix effect followed by Etienne’s handling of the cut and restored rope trick. No real novelties here, but rather solid, well though out routines.
Next a four ace production involving exchanges with the spectator. Not my fave. Too much work for too little effect.
The magic in the book finishes up with.a lengthy four signed card effect. I haven’t walked through this one as it’s grueling and described for a left handed magician. I’m too lazy and too right handed. Maybe someday. But this DOES look like a feature effect for a formal show for those willing to put in the work.
And last is a fussy, angly multiple card change thing. Not sure if I could ever do this convincingly. A knuckle buster best performed one on one.
Although this is a 5-star magic book for the intermediate to advanced magician, it is also a “personality” book with lots of filler. Incongruously, there’s more than I ever wanted to know about punk rock and The Sex Pistols. Some might get something out of the QR code links to gals and gags. Gotta say, I think the links could have been put to better use.
So yes, for me there was a lot of eccentric non-magical chaff mixed in with the magical wheat. But the wheat, for the skilled magician, is worth the wait.
Community questions about Never Mind the Bollocks
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Diego asks: Could we get a table of contents and descriptions about the book (e.g, page count, hardcover, etc.)?
- 1. Jim responds:It is hardcover.
- 2. Jim responds:It is hardcover.
- 3. Brian responds:The 6th image is a table of contents listing. On the 3 Monkeys website (the publisher), it says the book is 152 pages so the ToC appears complete.
1 question
