Amazon.com: The Magic Circle (9780732909376): Katherine Neville: Books

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
The Magic Circle
  
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

The Magic Circle [Paperback]

Katherine Neville (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (310 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover --  
Paperback --  
Paperback, 1998 --  
Mass Market Paperback $7.99  
Audio, CD, Abridged, Audiobook --  
Unknown Binding --  
Audible Audio Edition, Abridged $14.95 or Free with Audible 30-day free trial

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Product Details

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Macmillan 1998 uncorrected proof (1998)
  • ISBN-10: 0732909376
  • ISBN-13: 978-0732909376
  • Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (310 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Born in 1945, Katherine Neville has had an extraordinary life, living in almost every state in North America. Aside from her work as an international bestselling author, she has worked as an international computer executive, a painter, photographer, and a waitress. Katherine lives in Virginia, Washington and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visit the author's website at: www.katherineneville.com

 

Customer Reviews

310 Reviews
5 star:
 (169)
4 star:
 (27)
3 star:
 (26)
2 star:
 (19)
1 star:
 (69)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.7 out of 5 stars (310 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Magic is a thorough understatement--recommended highly, October 4, 1999
By A Customer
Be prepared for a whirlwind of ideas, surprises, time jumping, and a family tree that has branches so heavily overlapping that you need to note it down--have a pad and pen ready!

But truly, the book has a unique flavor all its own. I've read it as well as the other comments, and I'm frankly surprised by those who think that Katherine Neville is trying to keep a 'trend' that is supposed to be a 'winning formula'. Writers have a style, and Neville's style of taking jumps from time to time is very well plotted and maneveured. It can keep you spellbound. If someone says the book is boring, I hope curious readers will take my word for it that it is absolutely not.

I can't say enough about 'The Magic Circle'--history buffs, and all those who love to speculate about certain historical figures, will find them coming to life in all kinds of ways and presented in a different light altogether. This story is full of subtle nuances of human psychology, intelligence--oh dear me yes, is it ever intelligence--power, family, and love. Lust plays its role, but it's not what the story evolves around, and I agree completely that Neville has produced 'quality fiction'.

Doubtless for some it may seem that Neville has written out of her time (no pun intended). I prefer to call her work timeless.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Needs a second read...., January 10, 2000
While The Eight is by far my favorite book I waited to read The Magic Circle until I had the time to devote to it. Good thing I did as the plot is even more tricky than The Eight.

While the general plot is set up in a similar way to The Eight the topic is vastly different and somewhat confusing. The dual story is set in and around the time of Jesus and then interwoven with modern day. I would suggest keeping a pad and paper handy when reading this book as the myriad of characters can sometime be difficult to keep up with (as are the family relations of some of the characters).

Beyond the fact that it helps if you have a basic education in the birth of Christianity, the plot was interesting and the writing was excellent. It was interesting to see what the world might have been like during the life of Jesus as well as to see what he and his disciples and enemies might have thought about him (just know that this is not an overly religious book nor is Katherine making any judgments on any religion or religious person in The Magic Circle).

While some things seemed a little far fetched, I had to remind myself that The Magic Circle is fiction and that the author has artistic license. Katherine tends to write grand, vivid, sweeping descriptions and full bodied, interesting characters and she did not disappoint on that level.

All in all, I will read this book again but The Eight still remains her masterpiece - I doubt that The Magic Circle will ever have a following the way The Eight does - I guess that trying to re-use a magical idea rarely works twice.

I did like The Magic Circle, I guess I just need to remember that it is not The Eight and that I should not compare the two as much as I did the first time through this book. A definitely good read.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Neville's books surpass DaVinci Code, October 11, 2005
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
Katherine Neville is a truly gifted writer. Her books are well researched, paced to keep you turning the pages, and are definitely more "literate" than the offerings of most authors in this genre. If you thought the DaVinci Code was good, you'll think Magic Circle is great. After you read this one...try her book "The Eight". It's amazing!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews











Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence:
It was just before dusk. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
rune manuscript, sacred hallows, new aeon, third legion, silvery eyes, cowboy bar
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Dark Bear, Dacian Bassarides, Hieronymus Behn, Wolfgang Hauser, Adolf Hitler, Sun Valley, San Francisco, Joseph of Arimathea, World War, Kaspar Hauser, Father Virgilio, Pontius Pilate, Central Asia, Pastor Dart, Theron Vane, Salt Lake, Song of Songs, Simon Peter, Soviet Union, Volga Dragonoff, King Solomon, Herod the Great, Miriam of Magdali, Saul of Tarsus, Earnest Behn
New!
Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:

Citations (learn more)
This book cites 19 books:
See all 19 books this book cites
 
13 books cite this book:
See all 13 books citing this book

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 
(17)
(15)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   



So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category