Jar of Fools Jar of Fools Jar of Fools is a once-weekly comic strip by Jason Lutes that was compiled, first into a two-part anthology, and then a graphic novel. The work has received praise from "The New York Times Book Review", "Spin", "Wired", and acclaimed comics creator Chris Ware. "Jar of Fools" is the story of a tormented magician named Ernie Weiss (likely based on Harry Houdini, whose name was originally Ehrich Weiss). His brother, Howard, has died and he has become estranged from his girlfriend, Esther O'Dea. The story of the comic retells Ernie's struggles to get himself back on track
The Illusionist (1983 novel) The Illusionist (1983 novel) The Illusionist is a 1983 novel written by English author Anita Mason. The novel follows the story of Simon Magus, mentioned in Acts of the Apostles (8:9-24) as a magician, set in the first years of the Christian Church. It follows Magus' quest for power through magic, and contrasts that the power struggles between the apostles Paul, Peter and James who each have a different vision of what Jesus had stood for, and wish their perspective to dominate the Christian church. The novel is set in the Holy Land some years after the death of Christ.