External Links


Misdirection.z5
Requires a Z-Code interpreter. Visit IFWiki for download links.
Misdirection.txt
author's note

Have you played this game?

You can rate this game, record that you've played it, or put it on your wish list after you log in.

Playlists and Wishlists

RSS Feeds

New member reviews
Updates to external links
All updates to this page

The Act of Misdirection

by Callico Harrison

Fantasy, Historical, Horror
2004

About the Story

The curtain lifts to a torrent of applause, as the city's gents and ladies lose their decorum for a just few moments in anticipation of something magical. The spotlights drown the glitter of sequins and pearls, the metal cane-tops and the shining buttons on the waistcoats. From where you are, centre of the boards, behind nothing but a baize table with nothing but the clothes you stand in, you are quite alone in the blinding white light.

The Act of Misdirection is a short horror story about magic both fake and real, on the stage of Victorian England. It was nominated for a XYZZY for Best Story of 2004.


Game Details

Off-Site Reviews

Play This Thing!
Improv Fiction
This piece feels narrated. It begins with a riveting set piece scene; then it jumps back in time to explain how you got to this point; then it revisits the present, giving the same events new meaning; then -- but I'll avoid the spoilers. The result is quite effective: It's hard to imagine this story told in any other order.
See the full review

Page Update History

  v.4: 20-Jun-2008 08:33 - Emily Short (Current Version) - Edit Page - Normal View
Changed description
v.3: 20-Jun-2008 08:29 - Emily Short
Changed external review links
v.2: 28-Apr-2008 04:27 - calharrison
Changed cover art
v.1: 16-Oct-2007 01:46 - IFDB
Created page