Cerca by Roberto Mansilla (English PDF)

A good magic book is a glimpse inside the magician’s mind. In Cerca, you’ll not only get a glimpse into Roberto Mansilla’s mind, but a glimpse into his heart. If you’re a fan of Juan Tamariz, Gabi Pareras, Arturo De Ascanio, or Rene Levand, you’ll be able to see their fingerprints all over Roberto’s material. To paraphrase his own words, Cerca is the book he’s always wanted to write. Yes, it’s a book of magic. But it is also full of passion, wisdom, and stories. Across the 208 pages are elegant routines designed for both parlor and close-up performances. You’ll read… “Up the Sleeve” – An elegant card-to-pocket that makes the perfect opener. “Magician Vs Puerto Rican Gambler” – After cutting to the four Aces, you magically change them into the four Tens. “Matching the Cards” – Roberto’s version of the Vernon classic will go straight into your working repertoire. “Coincidence” – A deeply deceptive two-deck ACAAN, perfect for formal close-up. “Two Sandwiches” – The first phase of this sandwich routine is already amazing, but the second phase packs a powerful punch. “This is Not a Sponge Ball Routine.” – A beautiful sponge ball routine will have you looking at the classic prop in a new light. “The Color Changing Knives” – Inspired by Rene Lavand and Arturo de Ascanio, Roberto’s routine takes the classic plot and makes it even more magical. “Harmony” – Roberto’s three-card version of the stop trick isn’t just fun and fooling, but poetic as well. “Back to the Present” – A signed card vanishes only to appear in its original position, as if it never left in the first place. “Back to the World” – An incredible Out Of This World routine using the color of the backs, rather than the fronts. “Top Of The Bill” – This powerful Multiple Selection routine is the finale to Roberto’s close-up show. You’ll also find a trio of what Roberto calls “Haikus”. These short pieces of magic are better suited to informal performances, yet they are deeply poetic, powerful, and deceptive. We don’t want to spoil them, but trust us when we say they’re incredible, and some of our favorite magic in the book. There is always a story behind every great routine’s creation, and in Cerca, Roberto shares it. You’ll read the origin story of each of the fourteen beautiful routines, giving you a better understanding not just of why they were created, but also of their inspiration, purpose, and design. Cerca means close, and this book delivers on the promise to bring you closer. Not just to Roberto, but maybe even to magic itself.