Magician and writer Eoin Smith joins us for a rich, thoughtful discussion on The Prestige — comparing the novel and Nolan’s adaptation through the lens of someone who actually lives in the world of illusion.

We unpack:

• Why the film’s “simplification” actually strengthens the story

• How real magicians approach method, secrecy, and deception

• Victorian magic rivalries and their modern equivalents

• The ethics of obsession and the sacrifices performers make

• The film’s cinematic craft, performances, and core twist

• Hidden details you may have missed

• The evolution from stage magic to street magic in the 2000s

• Why rewatching The Prestige only deepens its impact

It’s a conversation about craft, creativity, and the magic still hiding in our day-to-day world.

Follow Eoin on Instagram: @eoinlistens

In this episode, we sit down with Scottish magician and author Eoin to unravel the mysteries of The Prestige — the Christopher Priest novel that inspired Christopher Nolan’s film.

We break down the book’s layered structure, shifting genres, and intricate character psychology while weaving in real-world magic history, backstage knowledge, and the ethics of illusion. From Victorian séances to modern trick-exposure culture, from Houdini to Tesla, from epistolary storytelling to the Ship of Theseus — this conversation asks what magic really is and what it takes from those who practice it.

Perfect for fans of the book, the movie, stage magic, or literary deep dives.

Follow Eoin on Instagram at @eoinlistens and check out his published fiction on Goodreads.

We wrap our Andromeda Strain two-parter with the 1971 film. From Robert Wise’s old-Hollywood gravitas to the split-screen tension and tactile lab tech, we dig into why the movie often outpaces the novel. We also touch on BookTok’s retail revival, tech-bro nutrition, modern conspiracy ecosystems, microbiomes/decontamination logic, and the film’s still-spiky ending. Verdict: if you’re on the fence, watch the movie.