About the

Book

A romantic adventure like no other! The author and her renowned magician lover take the reader on an odyssey that spans continents and embraces the exciting and colorful life of a street performer.

At twenty-five, Eileen McFalls embarked on a very unconventional journey after meeting an amazing street magician. While never a household name, Jim Cellini was a legend in the magic world, noted for his wit and skill when performing the impossible. During the eighties, Eileen and Jim busked in more than a hundred cities and at dozens of festivals, encountering free spirits, misfits, and royalty. A rollicking read full of tender and poignant moments, her memoir No Ordinary Magic recounts an uncommon life on the fringe.

An Audio Excerpt
from the Book

Chapter 9Eileen McFalls

00:00 / 08:43

A Video Excerpt

from the Book

Cellini often said that a magician's tools are the extension of one's magical self. Props to a magician are as important as the perfect brush to an artist or the faultless sound of an instrument to a musician. The following video is an excerpt from the book illustrating the reverence Cellini had for the art of magic in processing his sorrow over a set of damaged cups he'd used in a magic effect.

What People

Are Saying

The best book I've ever read!

—Tom Frank, Los Angeles, CA

Take a front row seat on this adventure and experience a world and time that no longer exist.

—Michael Vincent, London, UK

No Ordinary Magic is a beautifully detailed, honest look at the hard life of street performing, including the ups and downs, the cities explored, and the freaks, weirdos, and talented artists encountered along the way. More compellingly though, it reads like a love letter to a complicated magician who loved his art more than anything. The Great Cellini wanted neither wealth nor fame; he just wanted to live free and share his magic with the world. Reading about the spell he put on Eileen and their adventures together was thrilling.

—Brett Sears, Cincinnati, OH

What a wonderful memoir! No Ordinary Magic frames a fabulous tribute to Jim Cellini's devotion to the art of magic and his willingness to take risks, embrace challenges, and do whatever had to be done in order

to perfect his performances. This is no "sugar coated" account of the romantic busker life but rather a stunning review of the trials and tribulations the author endured as she and Cellini toured the globe. It's entertaining, honest, and compassionate—an absolute delight to read and contemplate!

—J. Hunter Gaul, Honey Brook, PA

I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a great read. No Ordinary Magic is beautifully written with some fantastic descriptive language that transports you into Eileen’s world, experiencing the adventures, which include the good, the bad, and the ugly.

—David Lowe, Manchester, UK

If you love reading memoirs that include quirky characters, fabulous settings, and all kinds of magic, then this book is for you. Eileen's story brings you people and places you didn't ever think you would know but will be glad you did.

—Barbara Barry Levin, Professor Emerita, UNC-Greensboro

You painted such great imagery with your words, such characters!

—Ralis Kahn, Los Angeles, CA

No Ordinary Magic was a really lovely read, beautifully written, very compelling and I found it hard to put down.

—Tony Griffith, Bristol, UK

I absolutely love this book! The author takes the reader on a fascinating journey to a side of life not many of us see. No Ordinary Magic is a story you'll not soon forget!

—Kathe Martin, Greensboro, NC

What a read! No Ordinary Magic made my heart sing and my soul dream. Thank you for sharing it with me.

—Alexandre Gagné-Greffard, Montreal, Canada

No Ordinary Magic is so much more than a memoir of Eileen McFalls's adventures. It is a love letter to Cellini, a love letter to magic, and most importantly a love letter to life.

—Chad Engelbert, Memphis, TN

I was spellbound! Your book is magical

in so many unexpected ways.

—Francesco Sclavo, Cuneo, Italy

Wow…what a fantastic book! Thank you for putting words and pictures to paper and sharing your journey with Cellini. It was a wonderful “read.”

—Matt Herbert, Kirkland, WA

Thank you for taking me with you on your journey through NOLA, the US, Europe, and the UK. I enjoyed meeting the characters and learning more about Cellini. As I am part of the magic family, I appreciate your insight and perspective of it.

—Steven Trott, MD, Bermuda

As a traveling magician I’ve been immensely inspired by The Great Cellini. Eileen shares their journey together performing around the world with dramatic detail. The descriptions of her stories made me feel like I was there. There were many insights of what was behind the curtain of this mystery performer. It felt like every stone was turned over from the wins to losses. It was very relatable to my life for I’ve traveled with my partner, busking along a similar path. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

—Jack Murdock, San Clemente, CA