Bookmarked Ricky Jay’s Magical Secrets by Mark Singer (The New Yorker)

From 1993: The magician’s deft illusions flout reality, and he rejects the notion that magic is a suitable entertainment for children.

I think I’ve read this three or four times, but definitely a classic. The first time was around 2000 when I was at CAA just before I spoke to Ricky for the first time. My last reading was right after Ricky passed.

what is a longform magazine story from before, let’s say, 2010, that you still go back and look at for inspiration

— rachel syme (@rachsyme) April 2, 2021

— Yo Soy Boy (@LucaRojas) April 2, 2021

This is the best magazine story in the entire history of magazines, imo

— Helen Rosner (@hels) April 2, 2021