Prism by Max Maven
A psychic disco ball of mentalism madness
Imagine opening a book and your brain says:
I dare you to try this in public!
That book is Prism by Max Maven.
Well actually it’s not just a book, it’s a technicolour blueprint for brain buggering sorcery, written by one of the most intelligent minds mentalism has ever known.
Yes it’s purple and if Willy Wonka opened a mind reading chocolate factory, this would be probably be the instruction manual.
Prism is the collected reprint of Max Maven’s legendary colour Series of Mentalism which was originally released as five separate booklets:
Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and Violet.
Each booklet was like a mini magical grimoire, jam packed full of experimental ideas, performance pieces and powerful effects that required very little in the way of props but had a LOT of very clever thinking.
Prism unites all of those deliciously brainy volumes into one beautiful hardcover edition, with annotations, revisions and bonus thoughts sprinkled in like psychic Unicorn glitter.
It’s got class, it’s got sass
and it’ll fry more minds than Roy’s Rolls fries eggs!
Who is this book for?
This book is not for people looking for easy answers and it’s not for people who want the five best card tricks to impress a budgie.
This book is for thinkers, tinkerers and mind twisters who want to dig deep into the psyche of an audience and leave them wondering if you hacked their dreams.
If you’re a beginner, Prism might read like a series of cryptic spells written by a monk with a psychology degree. But don’t worry, there’s gold in them there pages. You just gotta work for it.
If you’re an experienced performer then strap on (or is it in?)
This is where things get a bit weird.
Not like: Let’s stick a plastic budgie down your ear weird but weird enough!
What’s inside?
Each chapter is themed around a colour, both literally and metaphorically. Yes, some routines involve colour perception or prediction, but more importantly, each colour unlocks a particular flavour of mentalism thinking.
Here’s a summary:
Blue
Cold Precision
This section is where the journey begins.
The best way I can describe the blue book/chapter is:
Imagine performing in a tuxedo made of ice.
Cool, stylish, a little dangerous and it will probably make you shiver.
Don’t try these routines unless you’re absolutely chilled.
‘Tis the season to be lying has so many uses and is a routine you could easily craft a whole career from.
Red
Fire and Risk
This chapter is spicy, it says: Trust me, I’ve done this before!
Even if you haven’t, just say it with confidence and stare intensely
until they nod in fear. The red book thrives on audience psychology.
Satan’s nightmare is a routine involving Tarot and fire, I don’t think it can get much spicier than that!
Green
Growth and Strange Methods
Green brings in experimental thinking.
There’s a great routine called the mind’s eye deck which you can make yourself if you’re allowed to be left unattended with Sharpies and blank cards.
Yellow
Brightness and Nerve
Yellow features bold, gutsy routines.
Ever fancied trying out an index but don’t want to pay silly money for something that you’re not sure you’ll even use?
Quindex is Max’s 5 way out index which you can easily make if you’ll just stop eating the Pritt stick!
You have to perform this stuff like you’re wearing invisible sunglasses
and there’s a spooky soundtrack playing behind you. Trust me, it helps!
Violet
Mystery and Mastery
This section is typical Max Maven: Philosophical, minimalist and powerful.
The routines here are often deceptively simple but they hit hard.
There’s a 2 person code that can be used for star signs which I think is flipping fantastic!
Violet isn’t just a colour, it’s a mood.
This chapter is what happens
when confidence takes off its shoes and meditates.
You don’t perform these routines, you become them!
Fragmented Thoughts
The real genius of Prism isn’t just the effects, it’s how Max Maven thinks.
His writing is sharp, playful, mysterious and often full of little provocations. He wants you to think, experiment and to question your choices. This is mentalism as an art form, not just a book of tricks.
What makes Prism really special is how it teaches audience perception.
Every routine is designed to feel real, not like a puzzle or a trick.
More like something strange has just happened.
This is mentalism that lingers.
It’s about creating a reality that bends, just a little and for just a moment.
Max Maven has a sly sense of humour and the book is filled with little moments that make you chuckle.
This man basically invented sarcastic telepathy!
I’ve given you the just the tiniest hint of flavours from Prism.
Check it out for yourself and you’ll see the routines
are a healthy mix of stage and close up.
There’s routines that are scientific in nature and others are quite esoteric, there’s a routine to suit everyone in here.
Oh and one last thing:
This book glows with weird magic in the moonlight.
(Probably)
Stay Weird
ЯYΛП MΣПƬIƧ
International Man of Mischief