Suzy Wandas came from the humblest of beginnings.
Nothing about her entry into the world was auspicious, nor did it portend to her future as a star on the stages of Europe, England, or America. Instead, Jeanne Van Dyck was born in the back of a fairground wagon in Brussels in 1896.
Yet in the male-dominated world of magic, under the stage name Suzy Wandas, her light - her star - shone as one of the brightest in the firmament. An innovative sleight-of-hand artist who developed and refined her own remarkable techniques, Suzy became one of the most revered and sought-after acts of her generation.
Her rise to fame sometimes contrasted sharply with hard work and bitter poverty. Amidst the turmoil of two world wars and personal tragedies, her upward trajectory remained nearly uninterrupted. From fairground theater to the largest variety stages, she conquered every venue in which she performed.
The Lady with the Fairy Fingers is the incredible true story of Suzy Wandas, a woman who persevered against a backdrop of cultural turmoil, international strife, family tragedy, and a male-dominated profession to achieve worldwide success on her own terms. It is also the history of variety entertainment in the twentieth century, a personal view of women's rights, and a story of true love and pure magic.
Hardbound, 204 pages in full color, illustrated with never-before-seen posters, photographs, and ephemera. Limited edition to 700.
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