The Magician’s Daughter with Author Katy Grabel

Never before has the daughter of a great magician written with such candor and beauty about magic’s backstage-and onstage-world, where even the most outlandish dreams are possible.

Booksparks

Releasing on May 13th, The Magician’s Daughter, a memoir by author Katy Grabel, gives us an inside look at the backstage and onstage world of magic. It is a true coming-of-age story in which fourteen-year-old Katy finds herself going on the road as her father, a former magician, decides to attempt to reclaim his life on the stage and become a headliner in Las Vegas.

In this Q&A, Katy shares the most cathartic part of writing her memoir, when she first decided to tell the story of life on the road, and how her experiences shaped who she is today. While this is my first memoir that I’ve reviewed, it definitely won’t be the last. For all those who enjoy real-life stories, this is a book that you’ll want to add to your list.

When did you first decide to tell the story of your life on the road as The Magician’s Daughter?

In my late twenties, I was on a road trip and happened to be driving by a theater where my parents were performing. At that time, the big illusion show had been scaled down to a small show with just my parents. I came in late and sat in the back. I had not seen the magic show since I was fourteen, and so I was surprised by my powerful reaction when I saw all the old routines again. It all came flooding back – the cold drafty theaters, scratchy nylons, my dented wardrobe trunk, and most of all, my love affairs with the spotlight. As I watched the show, I started getting cold chills because I knew I had to write about it. At the time, I was a newspaper reporter, so writing a book wasn’t such a far-fetched idea.

What was the most cathartic part of writing your memoir?

I had to go back in time and engage with my young 14-year-old self with all her dewy hopefulness. When I started writing the book, I didn’t like her so much. I was an adult and struggling with my disappointment and self-judgment. I considered the girl I was in the magic show to be naïve, dumb, and silly. But the more I wrote about her, I realized she was big-hearted, smart, and passionate about the things she loved. It’s been healing for me to embrace that part of myself and see her in the adult I am now.

How do you feel your experiences on the road shaped who you are today?

Here I was, an impressionable 14-year-old girl taken out of school to go on tour in her father’s big illusion show to help him pursue his biggest dream ever – to be a Las Vegas headliner. That whole experience gave me fancy ideas about the nobleness of leading an unconventional life. As an adult, I wanted that same adventure, and I got it. I lived in many cities, moved around, valued my freedom, and chose my big dreams over a “normal” life again and again. I was always searching for real magic and ended up a student of metaphysics. I was never a mother and didn’t marry till late in life. Of course, my father didn’t like any of it. He wanted me to settle down with a secure desk job, even though he was the one who exemplified a life outside of tradition. I now live in New Mexico and Mexico, and I can honestly say, the adventure is continuing.

What was the most difficult chapter of your time on the road that you shared in the book?

There is a scene at the end of the book that was hard to write. I can’t describe more than that as it would give away too much of the story. I will say that years later I still felt shame and confusion about what unfolded. It was a pivotal part of the story, and so I had to jump in and process all those emotions while describing what happened. It allowed me to heal those difficult feelings and also see the good that came from that situation.

You mentioned that you waited until after your father’s passing to publish the book because many of his ‘tricks’ were revealed in the book. How do you think he would have felt if he had a chance to read it?

He would have been very hurt. I had witnessed the time and love he put into building his illusions, and the effort he made in keeping the workings of his magic show private. He invited me into his magic show, and I didn’t want to betray his confidence in a public way. With all that said, the memoir is certainly about more than the exposure of a magician’s tricks and illusions. The book asks: How much do we give to our dreams? And do we ever give too much? And what is real magic? But these story nuances would have been lost to my father in light of the exposures.

How do you feel your life has changed since your time in your father’s magic show?

I grew up, fell in love and out of love, failed and succeeded, and I had a whole life. Most of all, after my father’s illusion show, I had to find my way, my magic. I truly believe every daughter of a magician must do this more than the sons. My father would have gladly directed my life, told me what my magic was. And so I had to find it myself. That’s one reason why I strived to be autonomous my whole life.

Your book has been described as a ‘page turner where Penn & Teller meets Mission Impossible’. How do you feel about that description?

Can a magician, who can accomplish anything, be defeated by the one thing he wants most of all? My father wanted to be a Las Vegas headliner, and he did everything within his power to make that happen. And in a way, he did get what he wanted. And only by his tenacity and belief in himself did that happen. I truly believe the reason why men and women become magicians is to change their life stories. They have powers that extend way beyond the stage.

If your memoir were turned into a documentary, who would you want to narrate it?

Interesting question! Of course, magician Lance Burton. He is a wonderful master magician who played for many years in Las Vegas in his big illusion show. My father chose Lance to be his successor in the Royal Dynasty of Magic. He was also his close colleague and a friend of the family. Lance would have the genuine warmth and affection to narrate my father’s story, and as a magician himself, it makes a good fit.

Do you have any future books planned?

A series of personal essays that tie together into a memoir about my adult life.

What do you look forward the most about reading reviews following the book’s release?

I love the way my memoir connects with people. There is something innately in us that wants to believe in magic, and the limitless possibilities around us. It’s a big affirmation when a reader enjoys the book and its larger message.