Jilly Farina is fourteen. Her father is drunk on the day of the Barnstable County Fair, so she goes by herself, and that night her life is transformed. When she walks into a tent to see Millroy the Magician, his eyes lighten from brown to green and fasten upon her. He performs miracles before her spellbound eyes. He tells her that he will train her to be his assistant, and he will give her a sequined costume.
But this is only the beginning. Millroy is a magician not just of mere conjuring but of true, baffling magic. He is a healer, too, a vegetarian and health fanatic with a mission to change the eating habits of the United States. In search of the perfect platform, he finds it in television as an evangelical preacher, touting hygiene and the simple pure foods mentioned in the Bible. From fairground magician to cult leader, Millroy is unstoppable.
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"For me this is Theroux's funniest book. He takes potshots at all kinds of American icons from pompous religious types, to organic food fanatics, to children's TV. The story can be disturbing at times but if you read it to the end you will be rewarded by some real surprises."
— Bill (5 out of 5 stars)
" This book is tricky surprising and so incredibly beautiful. It will give you much to ponder about humanity and the power of belief. I sincerely enjoyed it and could not put it down. "
— Mary, 1/12/2014" Diet is so very important! "
— Jan, 1/4/2014" I enjoy Theroux's nonfiction much more than his novels. This one wasn't bad though ... "
— Brian, 12/20/2013" This was a strange book with a very disturbing ending. The last couple of pages will stay with me forever. "
— Lee, 12/14/2013" This is the only Theroux book I couldn't finish. By three-quarters through, I still didn't know what the story was about, didn't understand the odd and two-dimensional characters, and didn't even bother to the end to find out what happened, because I didn't care. A rare miss. "
— Psoutowood, 12/11/2013" ....someone read this book and explain.... "
— Tim, 9/17/2013" What a bizarre reading experience! For most of the middle of the novel, I felt like I couldn't possibly read one more line - I disliked it that much. But the last few pages blew me away. I would love to hear others' reactions. "
— Barbara, 9/12/2013" I went into this book with an idea of what to expect and was thrown completely upside down repeatedly - this is a book that should not be missed, but it did leave me confused as to why it was written at all. A wacky story, wacky characters, but has a very warm and moving message contained within. "
— Steve, 8/14/2013" A chance encounter book. I really like this story - about a meglomaniacal savior-type, looking to save America through its diet. Fun read. "
— Michaeldelicio, 8/14/2013" I love everything he writes but I can still picture the scenery and feel like I have known these characters my whole life. Paul Theroux really brings you in "
— Popper, 7/18/2013" couldn't abide it. "
— Mike, 7/3/2013" hmm. Usually like Theroux very much--- this one, I just couldn't get into and stopped half-way. It's slow and redundant, and no one character really grabbed me. "
— Heidi, 4/17/2013" Can't finish it, too wierd and disturbing. "
— Jennifer, 3/23/2013" Interesting enough to explain why I keep reading him, but always feel a bit unfinished/incomplete with him too. "
— Aaron, 2/8/2013" I WOULD read this book more than once if I could ever find a copy in the stores. It's amazing. A.Ma.Zing. "
— Frankie, 2/7/2013" I'm a big fan of Theroux, but his fiction is often hit or miss. And this was a big miss. "
— Jim, 11/25/2012" I read this for a book club...blech! Just. Terrible. I couldn't bring myself to finish it. "
— Christine, 11/22/2012" The book is unfinished, possibly never to be finished, because I couldn't get into it. The opening chapters weren't very good and I didn't feel motivated to try to read more. "
— Leah, 10/25/2012" One of my all time favorites. I'd hesitate to recommend it to most people I know though. It's an odd, odd little book that for some reason really resonated with me. "
— Jennifer, 9/24/2012Paul Theroux is an American travel writer and novelist. His novels include highly acclaimed books, including Burma Sahib, The Bad Angel Brothers, The Lower River, Jungle Lovers, and The Mosquito Coast. His renowned travel books include Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, On the Plain of Snakes, and Dark Star Safari.
Christopher Hurt is an accomplished narrator with a lengthy résumé of popular titles for Blackstone. A graduate of George Washington University’s acting program, he currently resides in New York City.