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Horror

The Magician

4.1(5)
Hardcover€31.50Paperback€15.70
Language
English
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About the book

2020 Reprint of the 1908 Edition. The Magician is one of Somerset Maugham’s early novels. Running through it is the theme of evil as personified by Haddo [Aleister Crowley] and other vivid characters. In fin de siecle Paris, Arthur and Margaret are engaged to be married. Everyone approves and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves—until the sinister and repulsive Oliver Haddo appears. In this novel the magician, Oliver Haddo, is a caricature of Aleister Crowley. Crowley wrote a critique of this book under the pen name Oliver Haddo, in which he accused Maugham of plagiarism. Maugham wrote The Magician in London, after he had spent some time living in Paris, where he met Aleister Crowley.

Editions (15)

ISBN9781684224838
PublisherMartino Fine Books
Publication Date07/31/20
Pages196

Reviews & Ratings

5 ratings

1 reviews

4.1

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  • jersy104
    jersy104

    13 Followers

    4.0

    This was so interesting. It reminded me of one of these really old horror movies with its fascinating mystery, intriguing villian and even the way the main characters were writting fit perfectly into that genre. Even though I can't say I liked any of the characters or felt particularly sorry for them, the plot kept me engaged. That ending must have been quit shocking in 1908 and even today I didn't see it coming like this. Maughams character descriptions were really weird, though. According to the narrator, everyone except Margarete is ugly, but when they are desriped in detail that didn't really come across that way. Maybe Maugham and I just have an entirely different understand of aesthetics. Anyway, Maughams writing is special in a way and though I generally liked it, that and how he loses himself in flowery descriprions sometimes wasn't my cup of tea. Still loved the mystery and will continue to read his works in the future.

    Sep 4, 2022

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