The Magic Circle [Paperback]

Katherine Neville (Author)

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

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

This review is from: The Magic Circle (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Needs a second read...., January 10, 2000

By 

Karen Bierman Hirsh (Greenwich, CT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magic Circle (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Neville's books surpass DaVinci Code, October 11, 2005

By 

Red Rock Bookworm (St. George Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Magic Circle (Mass Market Paperback)

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!