<DIV><p>In the tradition of Borges and Calvino, <I>The Musical Illusionist</I> is an interwoven collection of postmodern folk tales&mdash;disappearing manuscripts, neurological anomalies, teleporting bacteria, and an unforgettable composer who manipulates sound to bend perception&mdash;that masterfully blends scientific curiosity with magical-realist caprice.</p><p> <b>Alex Rose</b> has published stories and essays for <I>McSweeney&rsquo;s</I>, the <I>North American Review</I>, <I>The Providence Journal</I>, the <I>Forward</I>, <I>The ScienceCreative Quarterly</I>, and <I>DIAGRAM</I>. He has also directed a number of short films that have appeared on HBO, MTV, Comedy Central, Showtime, and the BBC.</p></DIV>