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Guests | February 6, 2012

Nathan Englander: IMG Bookscape

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[Editor's note: Don't miss Nathan Englander at the City of Books on Friday, February 17. See our events calendar for all the details.] It's been... Continue »
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The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam

by Ann Marie Fleming

The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam Cover

ISBN13: 9781594482649
ISBN10: 1594482640
Condition: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A full-color graphic memoir inspired by the award-winning documentary-and the life and mystery of China's greatest magician.

Who was Long Tack Sam?

He was born in 1885. He ran away from Shangdung Province to join the circus. He was an acrobat. A magician. A comic. An impresario. A restaurateur. A theater owner. A world traveler. An East-West ambassador. A mentor to Orson Welles.

He was considered the greatest act in the history of vaudeville. In this gorgeous graphic memoir, his great-granddaughter, the artist and filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming, resurrects his fascinating life for the rest of the world. It's an exhilarating testament to a forgotten man. And every picture is true.

Review:

"Fleming makes that kaleidoscope of influences accessible and virtually tangible, not only as they formed Long Tack Sam but also on her own essence. Very appealing for biography readers, twentieth-century world-history buffs, and comics enthusiasts alike." Booklist

Synopsis:

In this gorgeous illustrated memoir, the great-granddaughter of Long Tack Sam — China's greatest magician — resurrects his fascinating life for the rest of the world.
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About the Author

Ann Marie Fleming is an award-winning independent filmmaker, writer and artist born in Okinawa, of Chinese and Australian parentage. Her films include the shorts Blue Skies and Room 712, and the features, The French Guy and The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
crowyhead, March 17, 2009 (view all comments by crowyhead)
This combination biography/memoir in graphic novel form is a complete delight! Ann Marie Fleming knew vaguely that her great-grandfather, his wife, and his daughters had been somehow involved in show business, but all she had were a handful of anecdotes and a single playbill. As it turns out, Long Tack Sam (as her great-grandfather was known) was at one time a world-famous magician and acrobat, and he led a truly amazing life. Harry Houdini stole tricks from him, Orson Welles was among his fans, and audiences all over the world thought him to be one of the greatest acts in vaudeville history. His story is one of racism, love, adventure and hardship, and Fleming's account of tracking down his (and her own) history is no less exciting.

The book is based on Fleming's documentary about her great-grandfather, and makes use of stills and artwork from the film, but in my opinion it stands on its own very well. Highly recommended.
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Jonathan, January 4, 2008 (view all comments by Jonathan)
A strange-but-true tale of a Chinese magician who traveled the world and astounded audiences ... and then somehow died in obscurity and was forgotten even by his own family. Thankfully, his great-granddaughter was able to dig up his story and tells it in a scrapbook-comic format.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781594482649
Author:
Fleming, Ann Marie
Publisher:
Riverhead Trade
Manufactured:
Riverhead Books
Subject:
Personal Memoirs
Subject:
Entertainment & Performing Arts - General
Subject:
Magicians
Subject:
China
Subject:
Long Tack Sam
Subject:
Magicians - China
Subject:
Biography-Entertainment and Performing Arts
Copyright:
2007
Edition Description:
Mass Market
Publication Date:
20070904
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
176
Dimensions:
8.96x6.16x.59 in. .82 lbs.
Age Level:
from 18
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The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam Used Trade Paper
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Product details 176 pages Riverhead Books - English 9781594482649 Reviews:
"Review" by , "Fleming makes that kaleidoscope of influences accessible and virtually tangible, not only as they formed Long Tack Sam but also on her own essence. Very appealing for biography readers, twentieth-century world-history buffs, and comics enthusiasts alike."
"Synopsis" by , In this gorgeous illustrated memoir, the great-granddaughter of Long Tack Sam — China's greatest magician — resurrects his fascinating life for the rest of the world.
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