Why you should read the story:
“Houdini’s Knife” is NOT a 5000-word story about a Bengali woman whose dog has run away and you’re supposed to wonder if it will ever come back because she’s having dreams about the dog and the life it wishes to lead.
Forget that.
“Houdini’s Knife” is a story about a young man who is a magician. He wants to date a particularly beautiful and kind young woman, but he understands that’s not going to happen. Why? Because he’s a magician. Nevertheless, he finds a way to express how he feels.
What this story might remind you of:
ANY CRUSH YOU’VE EVER HAD. We’ve all been there.
What might be the saddest song ever:
What are you waiting for?
Enhanced content:
The story was inspired by a number of great magicians, perhaps Penn & Teller most of all. Here’s one of their best illusions:
And here is the ending of a great special in which Penn & Teller went to the Middle East to find the origin of the cups and balls, one of the oldest tricks in all of magic. Penn & Teller, of course, have their own spin on the basic illusion: