Avoidance of unpleasant reality, Houdini's profession? (8)

I believe the answer is:

escapism

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'avoidance' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Avoidance of reality' mean 'escapism' so perhaps 'avoidance' could also mean 'escapism')

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for escapism that I've seen before include "Avoiding reality by fantasising" , "break from reality" , "Absorbtion of mind in fantasy like Walter Mitty" , "An inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy" , "Avoiding the actual" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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