MAGIC, the power of influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces, is something people have used to baffle the minds of many for years. 

But what do you do when something so childish becomes your career? You adapt, you evolve, you make it relevant to the here and now. 

This is something that illusionist Derren Brown has done for nearly 16 years, and his latest evolution has seen the mastermind delve deep into the idea of happiness. 

His latest book Happy is due to be released today, and takes readers on a journey of questioning what does being happy actually mean? “I discovered the Stoics and their way of thinking was something that resonated with me,” Brown told The Gazette. “So I started reading through what they did and it became a huge source of interest and I wanted to somehow communicate this idea back out, show what they were interested in and what it meant to be happy in that time.”

He added: “This book is not a frivolous read, it took a lot more research and in-depth writing rather than it being just my ramblings.” 

It took the illusionist three years to write.

The 45-year-old believes this is a new chapter in his career and said if his work was not kept current he may not be in the position he finds himself. “If I hadn’t found a route to take my work in I think I would have stopped a long time ago. 

“So the shows have stopped being about 'look at me and look how clever I am', and has become more about real people and real life, which was a natural evolution and maybe this could be a new string to the bow.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

Brown will be talking about his new book Happy at The Anvil, on September 25 in an evening called No Tricks. 

The talk will be split into two parts. The first half will be Brown talking about the concept of his new book. The second will be a question and answer session where nothing is off limits. 

Brown added: “It will be a different side of me to what most people are used to, and it is a chance for people to ask me a range of questions, nothing is off limits. 

“It’s just about giving people information and for them to make an informed decision.” 

Brown said even if using magic is quite childish, he uses it to get a point across. He added: “It is important to be rooted in the here and now, especially when it comes to being successful.

“You need to love the work you do or if you fall out of love with it find a new angle on it. It is rooted in something quite childish but I wanted to push it into more adult areas, and I have done work where I do want to make a point. A message or a point that makes it worthwhile and so the reason for doing it becomes a bit of a subplot.”